Senate President Almando "Rocky" Liburd pronounced as "marvelous" the new high-speed ferry between St. Thomas and St. Croix, which begins a monthlong trial Friday –- even though he failed to persuade Capt. Bill Sanchez to drop him off at his St. John home during a demonstration ride.
Liburd was among more than 100 invited guests from the V.I. government and the private sector aboard the Salacia Thursday for a 45-minute spin out into the open ocean, where the vessel's vaunted computerized ride-control system impressively smoothed out four- to five-foot seas.
Those accustomed to the bump and grind and rustbucket pews of many local ferries are apt to be shocked by the comforts aboard the $8 million Salacia, which more closely resembles a roomy top-of-the-line passenger jet. That likeness extends to takeoff and ride, as the vessel's quick acceleration to nearly 40 knots per hour out of St. Thomas harbor, four water-jet engines humming, pressed passengers back in their seats.
And for a minute on the high seas three miles offshore, Sanchez shut off the ride-control system, which uses trim tabs on the boat's catamaran hulls to automatically adjust for pitch and roll. The effect was marked, and the return to ride control welcome.
The boat will leave from the Edward Wilmoth Blyden IV Marine Terminal on St. Thomas and arrive at Gallows Bay on St. Croix. The one hour and 15 minute trip will depart weekdays from St. Thomas at 7 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. It will leave St. Croix at 8:45 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 4:45 p.m.
Weekends the boat will depart St. Thomas at 8:30 a.m., noon and 3:30 p.m. It will leave St. Croix at 10:15 a.m., 1:45 p.m. and 5:15 p.m.
Fares are $40 round trip, $25 one way for local residents. For visitors, the fares are $50 round trip and $30 one way. There is a $5 port charge on all tickets.
Additional trips later in the day are scheduled for the last week of April, the height of Carnival.
For reservations or more information, call Boston Harbor Cruises toll-free at 1-877-SEE-WHALE.
