For the financial year ending 30 June 2009, Sea SA carried a total of 27,774 cars; 77,128 passengers; 3, 757 trailers; 780 trucks; 137 buses and 1,138 motorbikes, consolidating the Yorke to Eyre Peninsula ferry service which wipes out 325 kilometres of drive-time.

“Although on volume, these figures are actually slightly down when compared with volumes carried in 2007/08, we have maintained strength in the company by adapting to current market conditions,” Sea SA Managing Director, Stephanie Dawson, said.

“We’ve actually maintained 2007/08 prices, but we’ve also introduced popular off-season discounts, and streamlined the number of daily services we offer to ensure the service remains cost-efficient, achieves economies of scale and ultimately stays viable.  We’re here for the long-haul,” Stephanie revealed.

In the previous financial year, Sea SA delivered an average of 36 Gulf crossings a week.  In the context of rising fuel prices and the Global Financial Crisis, services this financial year were streamlined to an average of 24 crossings per week (with the exception of the peak period during December / January).  Whilst still delivering daily services from Lucky Bay and Wallaroo, operational costs were reduced in order to  safe-guard the growth and future viability of the popular tourist and transport route, Sea SA says.

Since commencing the service less than three years ago, Sea SA has carried a grand total of 192,458 passengers, 75,942 cars, 8,539 caravans / trailers, 1,457 trucks, 295 buses and 2,167 motorbikes, exceeding projected targets.  Placed bumper to bumper, this volume of vehicles would equate to a traffic jam 504 kilometres long, which would extend from Adelaide, up and around the top of the Spencer Gulf and down again to south of Cowell!