Nov. 10, 2006 — In the on-again, off-again saga of St. Thomas-St. Croix ferry service, there's good news once again for island travelers. On Friday, a new ferry company, V.I. SeaTrans, launched service between the islands.
The company took over the Royal Miss Belmar, the catamaran formerly leased by Island Lynx, which stopped running the St. Thomas-St. Croix route in September.
When asked why she thought SeaTrans would succeed where Island Lynx failed, SeaTrans principal Marjorie Smith said that she and her partners have more than 20 years experience in the ferry business. "We have all the things necessary to give continual service on the route," she said.
According to Smith, she and the other principals — DeShaun Smith, Rikky Baynes and Kaheen Farrington — learned the ferry business ropes through their association with Smith's Ferry. Smith's operates between St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands.
And she said that SeaTrans, through its affiliation with Smith's Ferry Service, has access to other backup ferries in case the Royal Miss Belmar is out of service.
Whether V.I. Fast Ferry returns to serve the same route remains to be seen. The company operated for five winter seasons but skipped last winter because Island Lynx was operating.
Smith said Fast Ferry usually starts operation at the end of December.
No one from Boston Harbor Cruises, Fast Ferry's parent company, returned a phone call requesting comment.
Smith said there weren't enough passengers for two companies, except during special events like Agricultural Fair on St. Croix.
In an effort to attract local travelers who want to make weekend visits, SeaTrans will be starting off its service with two trips every Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
Smith said the company will put together packages to entice locals.
She said eventually the company plans to expand its days of operation and replace the boat.
Smith said the 96-foot Royal Miss Belmar was built for lakes and rivers, not the open ocean, and sits low in the water, which makes for an uncomfortable trip.
She said a boat like Smith's Ferry's 100-foot Rocket, which operates between St. Thomas and Tortola, is better suited because it rides higher in the water for a more comfortable ride.
SeaTrans will depart the St. Thomas waterfront at 9:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday through Monday. The ferry will leave Gallows Bay, St. Croix, at 7:30 a.m. and 3:45 p.m. Friday through Monday. Smith said the trip takes about an hour and a half.
Round-trip tickets run $90 for adults and $80 for children. One-way tickets are $51 for adults and $45 for children. For more information, call 776-5494.
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