A cruise line company operating in Dorset has added a new boat to its fleet in Poole, creating six new jobs.
City Cruises operates sight-seeing tours along the Jurassic Coast and the Purbecks peninsula, and also runs passenger services on the River Ouse in York and along the River Thames in London.
The Poole arm of the business has announced the addition of a new vessel, named Fortuna, after it saw a 245% increase in revenue between May and June.
City Cruises Poole said it has benefited from 鈥減ent-up demand鈥 for trips to the seaside, following the easing of national lockdown restrictions earlier this year.
Having been transported from Newcastle to Poole Harbour under tow last week, Fortuna will join its sister ship Solent Scene to increase City Cruises Poole鈥檚 summer routes to Swanage near year, effectively doubling capacity.
City Cruises Poole is currently recruiting for two captains and four crew members to operate its new boat.
The company said Fortuna will operate a number of trial sailings to Swanage Pier in October, before being used as 鈥渇loating Santa鈥檚 Grotto鈥 visitor attraction.
Carol Scott, City Cruises Poole general manager said the business had enjoyed 鈥渁 fantastic start to recovery and a very busy summer鈥, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Ms Scott said: 鈥淭he acquisition of Fortuna means we can double capacity on the most popular route between Poole and Swanage and create jobs in the local area.
鈥淚n addition to Fortuna鈥檚 role as a leisure cruise, her large capacity inside and galley mean she will also be perfect for the charter market which we hope to grow for Poole.鈥
City Cruises, which was acquired by the Thames passenger operator Hornblower Group in 2019, has a fleet of over 20 boats across its operations.
The company carries more than three million passengers across its sightseeing, entertainment and charter services.
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