million loss in the first quarter, the company said yesterday.

Sea Containers, which leases containers and operates the Sea Cat ferries in Britain in addition to owning hotels and the Orient Express train company, lost $3.172 million in the period to March 31 compared to a profit of $7.467 million a year ago.

Loss per share was 71 cents compared to a 34 cent per share profit.

Revenues increased from $81.095 million to $85.33 million.