Ferry Mess Again Today

The ferries were a mess again today. Nobody was running from West End to Charlotte Amalie, so we scrambled to take Native Son to Red Hook, and luckily, it was running late.

I saw the green ferry catamaran hull pulling into CA dock about 2pm today when I was driving home.

That's just a mess and has to get fixed! On Sunday? Locals need the weekend ferries for shopping trips to St. Thomas, and for tourists, it's a huge turn around day, I'm starting to smell a conspiracy <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

The Road Town Fast Ferry was the only one going into Charlotte Amalie. It doesn't stop at West End like Smiths & Native Son.

You're LUCKY if you made your flight!

Looks like Native Son has pressed the Lady Virginia into service on the Tortola runs. Saw her leaving West End at 12:30 yesterday. Usually she is tied up at CA to serve the cruise ships.

We saw the Lady Virginia come into West End on Fri., but she was sitting in her usual spot on the waterfront today.

You are giving them way too much credit <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Sorry to say this but I have 16 people on two catamarans coming in late July and they have to have some certainty in their return trip to St. Thomas so they can get home for important matters. This will most likely be the last time I do this. It has been yearly since 1981. I imagine that I along with my friends spend upwards to $70,000.00 yearly in the BVI and that will stop. I just can't feel responsible for their travel yet in the past I had "no worries". Wake Up BVI

Time for a sticky thread for gathering folks to share water taxis.

that much money involved and that many ppl have you ever considered a private charter from bvi to stt? I have heard there are some from red hook? that was a long time ago though anyone else know?

this has been going on for years. was just there a in early june. native son pulled through again. obviously a way of life. make sure you ask for one more vac day to get back to work . . . . if that's the way you plan to go by ferry that is

I had no problems yesterday(sunday). We landed at 1:45, Kevin was waiting for us and already had reserved us seats on the 2:45 RTFF and we were on Tortola by 4. Kevin is the way to go. Before you land he already has the ferry situation figured out. We are at Tamarand Club until monday, then we get on our catco boat.
Cheers
Hophead

Please post the best and current contact number for Kevin.
THANKS

Kevin's # is
340-643-0025

Email is
kevintaxi101@yahoo.com

Anon, with 16 people take a water taxi, not much more then ferries and plenty of certainty.

The ferries are no longer a scalable or practical solution to move airlift passengers between countries. The rigorous safety standards, the security of two independent nations, the price of oil, the cost of trained labor and the cost of modern boats doom the business case. In the BVI and STT combo the taxi politics further doom the practice of the past. The land in STT, that requires some to go through US immigration, get your bags, get a third world taxi, ride a taxi or van, to find and catch a third world ferry boat, then handle C&I on Tortola, to then find and ride yet another third world taxi to your hotel. Yes to some that is great fun and adventure. To so many other that is a BS way to add hassle and risk to family or group travel.

Either get St. Thomas to allow simple ferry transport direct from the airport to a reasonable BVI ferry hub. Or go forward with a major jet port at EIS. The way I read the paper neither set of Islands want the cross border ferries to work? Without the full support and cooperation of both the BVI and USVI the STT as the air gateway is doomed.

Today there is simply no way to determine how many hours a traveler must budget for the cross border airport. If the ferry is part of your flight plan you need to add a day on both ends just in case the ferries do not work out that day.

it seems to me that both the USVI and the BVI need to get the ferry system to work. Furthermore I don't see any reason why it could not work. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

tangerine3 & sail2wind

My wife and I are in the above referenced group and if it weren't for the fact that the group is coming in from all over the US, at different times and different days, we would definitely go the water taxi route. Our departure schedule is pretty much the same as our arrival schedule. Given our circumstances, we are in the same boat as most of the rest of the people on this board. I do appreciate the info, the anon post was from a regular on the board, they just weren't logged in when the post was made.

Thanks,
Chad

Flying in and out of STT, Considering the advice to plan a night in St Thomas each way. Does anyone know if the 8:30 AM ish ferry from CA to Tortola has been running most weekdays ?
Or are all the ferry departures a crap shoot ?

They are all a crap shoot. Doesn't change daily, it's by the minute!! We called from hotel and were guaranteed a ferry at a certain time. Taxied over in ten minutes and the ferry was cancelled. Stay at the BW Emerald on both ends and just chill!! Great hotel!
That being said, we are flying straight to Beef this next trip. We put the extra hotel and ferry cost into the airline ticket. Well worth it!!!!

My understanding is the most reliable has been Red Hook, but give CA a chance and see what happens. you can't get too upset over something you have no control over. You will get to BVI, just might not be easy. We have been very lucky and have never been stranded on either side.

I think more people are going to start doing this. Its one thing to plan a day on each end because you want to. Its another to have to just to have a buffer. At most we pay $200 more per ticket to fly into EIS. If you factor out the ferry and added taxi, its not much more at all and we get in by noon on our first day unlike end of day if we went through St Thomas. Just makes the most sense. Although I o till check STT flights just to make sure there isn't a huge difference.

seems inter island transport is and has been a challenge in the carrib- getting to st vincent can take a while for example

When and how do I contact Kevin for a pickup. I imagine he has a good idea of the ferries that are actually leaving for Tortola whether from CA of Red Hook.

I am pretty sure he is just as in the dark, Mark Paulson said he picked them up at the airport, did a drive by at CA to see but no ferry so on to RH...on the upside, Mark said they got a nice scenic tour on the way to RH!

Actually, Kevin has had a great handle on what was running/not running when he picks us up, especially this last time. Coming back from Tortola, we would have been screwed if I hadn't called him and he told us to take the earlier ferry to Red Hook. He was gonna be late to pick us up, but sent one of his friends. Galeaux's crew was in the same "boat" as us, and hopped a ride, too.
You can reach him by email or cell, but give him a couple days notice:
340-643-0025
kevintaxi101@yahoo.com

When we were there a few weeks ago Kevin was on the phone with someone at the ferry who was updating him on when the next boat was leaving. We waited an extra 10 minutes or so for another couple and he got us to the ferry with only a few minutes to spare but they knew we were coming. I emailed him the night before we left and just told him my name, how many passengers we were and when our flight arrived and then I went to bed (we had to leave home at 3am) without waiting for his confirmation. When we arrived he was standing there with a a big smile and a sign with my name on it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" /> Nice guy. I'd definitely call him again.

oh that's good to know, I am not sure if it was even Kevin who drove them or not, I know he was planning on having Kevin but not sure that they did in fact use him.

and in Glenn and Haleys case they needed to go directly to RH as stopping to see at CA "to see" would have been to tight and made them late for that last RH ferry.

Laura, we were with Mark and his family in the taxi last Thursday. Kevin was off island, but sent his backup Lew to get us. Lew didn't know the status of the CA ferry, but he took us by the terminal and when we realized that the 1:30 wasn't running, we had him take us straight over to Redhook.

My wife and I left Tortola on Saturday for St John, and the West End terminal was a mess with folks trying to figure out how to get back to St Thomas. The 12:15 and 12:30 were running, but both were late leaving.

How is that ever going to scale. Sure you can try and many do get away with the plane, baggage claim, taxi, ferry?, immigration, then taxi again dance. Why would you plan well in advance for that BS?

To me that is the same Russian Roulette planing as traveling in two different airlines with two different tickets. Just because someone thought they had found a deal. Yes, you can save a few bucks on a holiday that costs thousands. KaBoom one hiccup and you are trying to glue Humpty Dumpty together again with little help from the other parties.

Good luck with your BVI plans and the plans of your traveling partners when you BVI bag does not show up at STT baggage claim.

Lost my STT bound luggage last trip. They delivered it to me at west end next day. Actually saved me the trouble of humping it onto and off the ferry, and I just picked it up and left.

Also, regarding "scaling", the thing that doesn't scale is the BVI itself. It is pretty much fully engaged from a sailing viewpoint and you cant add too many more boats to the fleet as the existing anchorages are getting full. I suspect that is behind the stealth pitch for more well-heeled visitors in private jets.

We had that happen one time due to Delta having issues and us having them move us to an AA flight. Worked out well for us as it ended up being direct, but our bags didn't make it.

Wasn't a big deal except it was January and I didn't bring a change of clothes in our carry on so I was wearing jeans and rather hot. Fortunately however our bags arrive the next morning. We just had to take a taxi to the ferry dock to get them.

That was the last time we used the ferry, not entirely because of this, but in part. With prices being pretty similar for us, its easier to not have to worry about this - had we flown into EIS, bags would have been delivered to the moorings base. Needless to say, I always have some extra clothes in my carry on now

Matt, that is a standard no matter where you travel. Going from warm to cold or cold to warm, always bring a change of clothes in your carry on to match your destination. I think we have all found that one out the hard way <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />

Yeah, it was a foolish mistake, that I am not going to repeat <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Even when we go from 'warm to warm', we always put a change of clothes and a bathing suit in the carry on. Nothing worse than arriving at your destination with no clean clothes to change into, after a long, trying day traveling..

out first stop is usually Dallas and we change at the airport and arrive island ready <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

My plan was to get into STT around 2:30 and then hire Dolphin to pick us up and get us to West End. It was perfect. Going back, we always book the Island beachcomber, so there is no rush. Just a pain to have to lug the luggage 7 times between Voyage and arrive at the Beachcomber. Best thing we ever did was hire a Sky cap guy at the airport for departure. We waived all of the lines and didn't have to haul our luggage anywhere. He did everything! Cruised through customs! LOVED that!

so ok we fly into Tortola from San Juan, how do we get to Anegada? Guess the ferries are not reliable to go there either????????

How well can you swim?


I always thought the Ferries to Anegada we're reliable?

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.

While at the PPR on our return two Saturdays ago we sat and watched Native Son arrive and then depart empty as well.

The perfect "discernible" BVI customer. The Dr and Hon. Pickering should add your friend to his Holiday Card list.

There is no chance of survival in the modern train, plane or ferry business without excellent organizational execution coupled with efficient tools and capital utilization. Does anyone see any of that here?

The challenges of operations in small island environments only makes all of that more important.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/duh.gif" alt="" />It's all so clear now!!!
Thanks.

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />

word salad.

This one is long and served its purpose...