20 March 2009

Jobs go as Hebridean downsizes with sale of ship

The larger of the two vessels operated by Hebridean International Cruises has been sold as the company withdraws from international operations.

The 98 berth Hebridean Spirit will be withdrawn ahead of the summer 2009 season.

The line is contacting all customers booked on future programmes of the vessel to offer a full refund or a transfer to a cruise aboard Hebridean Princess, the operation of which is not affected.

An unspecified number of redundancies will result from the sale,both at head office in North Yorkshire and amongst sea staff.

Managing director Mike Deegan said "We have made the decision to withdraw from international operations to concentrate on our core product, which is the operation of Hebridean Princessin Scotland.

"For some time now we have experienced rising costs of operatingHebridean Spiritin international waters due in part to the deterioration in the pound sterling against the US dollar and euro and we can not continue to absorb these increases, especially when the vessel has been operating in a very aggressive market where heavy discounting is the norm.

"Clearly, we have not taken this decision lightly.

"I am very aware that the cancellation of an eagerly anticipated holiday is very upsetting and we shall work with all affected customers.

"That we shall also be losing some good staff, some of whom have seen many years of service with us, is equally upsetting for us".

Hebridean Spiritwas introduced in 2001 and has operated in Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean and South America.

Sister vessel Hebridean Princess, which was chartered by the Queen for a family holiday in 2006, will continue to offer cruises throughout the Western Isles of Scotland in its 21^st season of operation.