Scoot Ferries ceased trading without warning on 19th December when the promising new cross-Solent ferry operator called in the receivers.

The company had launched on 7th august 2015 with the 12-seater Scoot 1 (£7,000 per month charter) on a Cowes-Hamble service for Cowes Week and then opened a Yarmouth-Lymington Town Quay link with the same vessel on 1st September.

Two years earlier than planned, a Cowes-Portsmouth (Camber Docks) route opened on 5th November using two 41-seater wind farm personnel transfer vessels, the Scoot 2 and Scoot 3, at £20,000 per month to charter each craft.

Passenger numbers were not as anticipated and a series of mechanical issues proved costly. A group of financial backers pulled out on 24th November leaving the company seeking new investment. The situation quickly became untenable despite cheap travel offers towards the end, with the 32 staff and crew being made redundant on Monday 21st December. The company had estimated monthly fuel and staff fees of £100,000 (£50,000 per category) and had accrued considerable debts in just over 16 weeks.

The service offered was excellent but, alas, the finances could not sustain this. A buyer was being sought for the assets or entire operation. The Scoot 1 was impounded at Yarmouth when the service ceased with over £10,000 owed in fuel and berthing fees.