B.V.I. Tuesday, August 18 – Government has selected Road Town Fast Ferry as the new company to provide interim ferry service between Tortola and Anegada.
This follows the expiration of the contract between Government and Smith’s Ferry Services Limited for the Anegada/Tortola service on Sunday, August 16.
Road Town Fast Ferry will provide the service for two and a half months. During this interim period, Government will undertake the tender process with a view to signing a new contract in the near future.
Permanent Secretary in the Premier’s Office, Mrs. Rosalie Adams told the Department of Information and Public Relations “Government is committed to ensuring that the service continues for the benefit of the people of Anegada and all residents who need to travel between the two islands.”
The start of service by Road Town Fast Ferry was delayed due to the inclement weather conditions experienced on Monday. However, the service will begin on Wednesday, August 19.
Under its agreement with Government, Road Town Fast Ferry will provide service to Anegada three times weekly on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mrs. Adams stated that “the north bound service will depart Road Town at 6:45 a.m. and 4 p.m. on the days of service while the south bound service will leave Anegada at 8:20 a.m. and 5:20 p.m.”
The Permanent Secretary revealed that stops in Virgin Gorda have been included in the schedule. “On Mondays and Fridays, the Tortola/Anegada ferry service will include stops in Virgin Gorda, departing there at 7:20 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. I want to emphasise that this will be Mondays and Fridays only for the north bound service,” she stated.
Government is also announcing another initiative which is the manifesting of passengers. “Effective Wednesday, August 19, passengers will be required to provide proper identification when boarding the vessel to facilitate accurate manifests. Manifests for domestic travel are not mandatory currently but this will change on Wednesday, starting with the Anegada ferry service. While this initiative is a pilot for the Anegada service only, we appeal for the cooperation of all as we expect to introduce this requirement for all domestic travel in the near future,” the Permanent Secretary said.
Government is committed to providing continuous and effective transportation links between the islands and the goal is to ensure the highest level and safety and accountability when doing so.
British Virgin Islands News