After an exhaustive search we have found one of the very first passengers from the first cruise in 1985. Brian Woods took part in the inaugural service and we have presented Brian with free cruises for the rest of his life. Brian joined former and current Black Cat staff members, customers and the original skipper on a harbour cruise of Akaroa exactly 25 years to the day later. It was a celebration of the journey and included reliving some of the most memorable moments on the harbour since 1985.

On October 20th 1985, the Charmaine set out on her first Akaroa Harbour Cruise. At the helm was Captain Ron Bingham and on board were two paying passengers. Total revenue $16. The business was partly inspired by the Hutchens family who started Fiordland Travel (now Real Journeys). Living in Te Anau we had seen what could be done and it’s ironic that Real Journeys now own 50% of Black Cat.

Inspiration is one thing and making a business work is quite another. While others had failed to make a go of it in Akaroa this one worked. Why? It used the owner operator model and everything was put on the line! There was some luck too with Hector’s dolphins receiving national recognition when the sanctuary was put in place in 1988 and international tourism grew. So from a total of 16 passengers in that first week, we now carry on average 2000 a week across Akaroa and Lyttelton.