TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Ferry Mess Again Today

We always take Island Birds from Tortola to Anegada - don't want to take any chances missing out on the first night in Anegada. Always ferry back to Tortola, and up through this past May we have had no problem. Appears from what is going on with the ferries that we'll have to re-think transportation back to Tortola next time. Good luck!!

Speedy's is always reliable

Speedy's runs Tortola to Anegada Monday, Wednesday and Friday reliably mornings and afternoon. The only thing that I can think of that would make them cancel a trip would be a storm. And they make a stop at Virgin Gorda at about 7:30ish on their morning run. They ended the Tuesday and Thursday run a few weeks ago. But you should always call ahead to make sure things are running. When we were there a few weeks ago we decided that if they were to cancel our trip to Anegada we would just spend the rest of the week on VG.

Skip the Tortola part and do a FlyBVI charter from SJU to Anegada. Save lots of time and hassles.

You are saying that Speedy now does the tortola-anegada run. Used to be RTFF. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

That's what I thought, that RTFF was doing that run. It does not show on Speedy's schedule.

Road Town Fast Ferry does the Anegada run, not Speedy's.

Oops. I meant Road Town Fast Ferry. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Speedy's took us from Road Town to Spanish Town.

my gosh all this makes my head spin. We must either be very lucky our all you are very unlucky we have always catched the ferry (usually native son)at 4:00/4:30 from CA to WE with AA landing in STT at 3:00 or 3:30pm.

I don't know if this is new or not. We won't be able to afford but maybe somebody can benefit from it if it becomes reality for ppl going to Anegada

http://www.bvi-airlines.com/anegada.pdf

Received email reply from Smith's Ferry that their vessel is still dry-docked as of today. Stated they are working with another ferry company (Native Son?) to maintain a schedule until their vessel is back in service. My crew will arrive Monday, and sounds like "take the next ferry, any ferry" is good advice. Anyone know if any ferries out of CA are currently going to West End, or only out of Red Hook?

Just had lunch at the Pub. The guys from Conch and TMM say only Marie Elise has left Smith's docks over the last two weeks. RTFF's Matakata is tied up at Baugher's Bay and is gutted. No seats, no interior, engines sitting on the dock, lots of external damage. Looks like she is being prepped for a dive site. I don't expect to see her ever in service again. Two Native Son boats tied up across from Baughers. They seem to be operational but it was close to time for a noon run and neither had crew aboard. Lady Virginia was brought over from STT to fill in a few times last week. 90% of Native Son's runs appear to be Cruz Bay to Red Hook so plan for a 45 minute to one hour cab ride either way.

My report is in the hands of the tourist board and they have asked for more copies. I have not been escorted off the island yet so at least it got into friendly hands. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

How the locals see it....

ROADTOWN Tortola, BVI July 2nd, 2013 -- Our economy is in free fall and has been so for a while, and is now depreciating at so alarming a rate, that it is unsettling. This is an undeniable truth that cannot be hidden by silence. Yet, the Premier is silent.............................


Anon==obviously, this is copied and pasted from somewhere. In future, please post a link. You cannot do a wholesale copy and paste of copyrighted material. Carol Hill

Where was this cut and pasted from? I don't see a link from the source.

Agreed--who knows?

I believe it is from this . Again this is largely politics being played out in the BVI on-line news.

It is the island version of Fox News vs MSNBC. You have to really work to figure out exactly what is happening.

We just had an e mail from Smiths saying the CA to Tortola boat was due out of dry dock today and would be made ready for operations tomorrow (Sunday).

The revised Smiths 'slow season' weekday schedule will be one trip per day between CA and Road Town. Out from CA at 3.30pm and from Road Town at 09.45am.

Sounds like Smiths has been working to get their boat seaworthy and will soon be back moving us all between the islands. Tomorrow or Monday will tell if they make their plan.

I and my crew decided to "bail" on the ferry system, just too risky in my mind. We just don't have enough time Monday afternoon after arrival to depend on one ferry out of Red Hook, so we booked Dohm's Water Taxi. I do like the idea of not having to clear C & I at West End, and that they will drop us at our charter boat at Voyage. Works out to about $88 each ($65 + $20 C&I + $3 fuel surcharge), in addition to taxi fare from STT to Red Hook. This is about $52 more than the ferry, but feel like we can't take a chance.

You can find the original press release here:

http://www.virginislandsnewsonline.com/upload/documents/press_statement.pdf

Multiple versions are now available through various media outlets. I note ferry reliability does not seem to be top of mind even with the opposition ?

How do they bypass customs?

We don't actually bypass C&I, it is just we stay onboard the boat with our luggage while the captain clears C&I with appropriate paperwork. Once he returns to the boat, he will drop us at the Voyage dock at Soper's Hole. This is what I have been told.

We used Dohms on our last trip in November as the ferry was a mess at that time too. The extra cost is well worth it. I doubt I will get on the ferry again. we taxied to red Hook and were underway within ten minutes of arriving. We waited on the boat at West End while they cleared us in. Took about 15 minutes and then they dropped us at Voyage's dock. On the return, we were at the fuel dock and they came and tied up to us. We settled our bill, handed our luggage onto the ferry, boarded and we were off. They cleared us out while we waited on the boat....easy peasy!

If the BVI and STT had their act together there would be BVI greeters meeting folks in baggage claim with attractive shuttles to ferries leaving a dock at the airport. The ferry dock would be a FUN place to hang, drink or shop for at least the ferry intervals. C&I would be handled with a simple smile and stamp on the boat or at that dock.

The fact of the matter is neither one of those islands wants the STT as the gateway to the BVI to work. The list or reasons is long. High paying jobs and egos are at the top of the list.

St. Vincent with their new airport and Cuba when it opens to US traffic is really going to hurt tourism across the BVI and USVI. The BVI will be left with no choice but to build a real runway and pay the US airlines to bring tourist to the BVI. St. Lucia and others with real jet service are doing that already.

I actually pretty much agreed with this through the first sentence of the third paragraph.

The all inclusives have seemed to figure this out a long time ago. We have been to AI's in Mexico, Jamaica, and the D.R. and there is always a shuttle waiting for you. Sandals was the only one that was free. The charge is upfront, prepaid with the hotel reservation. The big difference is the BVI trip has a land and a water passage. TUI surely could afford a van for the ride to a ferry. They have plenty of boats to shuttle people to Road Town. Would people pay $75 a head for a convenience like this.

The difference is two different countries with tow different taxi associations. Long ago the original plan for the STT expansion included a BVI ferry terminal in Lindbergh Bay but the STT taxis went on strike and it was scratched.

The solution will have to work within the political realities that exist and that will be a challenge on both ends.

Long ago when The Moorings and CSY were competing airport pickup was the norm.

Thought I'd try the old cut and paste routine, with factual information <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

From whomever: " I note ferry reliability does not seem to be top of mind even with the opposition ? "

From the Premier this morning: "Our transportation infrastructure is also hampered because our ferry services continue to perform below an acceptable level to serve the needs of the traveling public. As a Government we have a responsibility to the public and have engaged the operators to determine how best to help them provide more efficient services. However, if significant improvement in this service is not seen within the very near future, Government intervention will be necessary to ensure that a service commensurate with what the people and visitors of the BVI deserve, is in place."
https://www.facebook.com/orlando.smith.940/posts/475223522561526

I totally prefer the water taxi. Won't ever be doing the ferry again. The convenience and service is wonderful.

Rolled the dice on ferries - June 25 to West end and July 3 to CA for 6 people. Planned on the CA ferry to west end but it wasn't running. We left the airport at 4:30 to west end. the ferry was there but full so they ran another one. It was a little messy but really no big deal. At west end by 7.
Coming back, planned on the 10:15 from WE to CA. There were some issues - Speedy and RTFF were to both run at that time but ended up only being Speedy. It was the Express and it was very full. Didn't leave until 11:30 but one couple was able to make their 2:30 with no issue and we were able to shop for several hours before our 4:30.

The ferry situation was not ideal but they were nice and it all worked out. Just have to be on ilon mentality.

No West End Smith's ferry today..Glenn hoped to get the 10.00 Smith's ended up on the 8.30 Native Son to Red Hook...

I will post my trip report shortly which has a piece about recent (last week) ferry "exercises". Also, if you are a small group, consider ACE Flight from STT to EIS. They are incredibly reliable and totally no hassle. Also, same to Anegada. Totally bypass the ferry mess. Unfortunately, if you are one or two peeps, very costly.

After Smith's failure to get a boat operating by this AM as advertised Mal made a heroic effort and got me to West End for Native Son's Oriole at 8:30. After the usual c&I tango at Cruz Bay everyone was discharged at Red Hook. A 50 minute $20 cab ride got me to the Petite Pump Room where Michael had plenty of cold Red Stripes prepared for the 6 hour wait for my flight. Hadn't finished the first one when, lo and behold, Oriole pulls up to the dock. Why they made everyone get off at Red Hook is beyond me. RTFF arrived at 11:30 and departed at noon. Native Son Express tied to the CA quay just twiddling its dock lines.

For more info see my thread "I'm still here (kinda-sorta)"

So looking forward to the ferry on Thursday. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

Our CYOA ferry arrived early <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" />

well sounds like after all that Delta pulled what we call the "hurry up and wait" move! such a bummer but glad you were "forced" to enjoy an extra day, and thanks again for taking Bert under your wing on the way down <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

You might give CYOA a call. You left some items on your ferry.

Had a few hours at the PPR the last couple of days to monitor the situation. Monday the first boat at CA was Oriole at 10AM but with no passengers arriving. Oriole rafted to Lady Virginia on the quay for some service but both left for Tortola about noon Tuesday empty. BVI Patriot (Autshumato renamed I think) arrived at 11:30 and departed a little after noon. Another RTFF cat was leaving the dock as I rode past at 4PM but no other boats from CA Monday.
Today Smith's Sterling made an appearance at 10:30 and left at 1:30 but that was it for Smith's. Inter Island's NSI I arrived at noon and left at 12:30 apparently filling for the RTFF run. No sign of the cats before I left but one was to run at 4:15. Native Son came in at about 1:30 and was supposed to run back at 3:30. Anyone arriving at STT after about 3:30 better plan on heading to Red Hook for Native Son's 5PM. In short, there is apparently no set schedule at all.

RTFF has three catamarans, atshumato (sp), makanna (sp) and the BVI Patriot. The Makenna was in dry dock in St Thomas last year when it took on water and sank. The insurance companies are negotiating as to whose insurance is to pay. So it sits at CSY waiting. The other two cats are in service. They also have several monohull ferries that run to Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

With all this negative ferry talk, our friend coming in today is now flying into EIS. He was already going through san Juan so this made much more sense anyway. I don't have any idea on the cost, but I don't think he really cared.