Catamaran boost for '˜world class' diving on North Coast

Richard Lafferty, owner of Portstewart-based Aquaholics with Rhonda McClelland of Ulster Bank at the new boat, moored in Ballycastle. INCR 44-793-CON

Aquaholics Dive Centre has purchased a new commercial catamaran in an effort to attract more US, European and Asian tourists to the North Coast.

The business, which has the highest level of accreditation from PADI (The Professional Association of Diving Instructors), provides holidays to local and international visitors, as well as training and sea safari boat trips.

In addition, it retails diving equipment online and from two physical outlets, and provides marine services for film crews for the likes of Game of Thrones, BBC and Disney during shoots at sea.

Owner Richard Lafferty said: “With world class diving on the North coast, Aquaholics attracts a lot of groups and individuals from Europe, the US and Russia.

“Not a lot of people realise how attractive the North Coast is to divers and we see a real opportunity to bring more international visitors to the area. This new, state-of-the-art vessel enables us to provide the high quality service our customers now expect.”

The company’s latest investment is supported by the Ulster Bank.

Rhonda McClelland, business manager with the bank, said: “Richard has diversified the business extremely well, including his line of work in servicing media companies and film crews.

“He has also invested well in his core diving operation and we are very pleased to support this latest purchase intended to bring more international visitors to the North Coast.”