New Fast Ferry service up and running

The captain of the new fast ferry service has thrown down the gauntlet to local flight services with a cheaper option to reach the Grenadine islands.{{more}}

Captain Elvis Gooding, at the service’s launch, said: “The fare is very competitive. I hope people will give this a chance.”

The 150-foot vessel, which came from Norway, made its inaugural voyage on Saturday, August 21, 2010, to Bequia with members of the media and other interested parties on board.

The journey, which took just over 20 minutes, was described by several passenger as a “smooth’ ride.

Two of the passengers, Cathy Parsons and Martha Gabriel, were pleasantly surprised by the experience.

Both women, who are spending an extended period of time in the island teaching literacy skills at the Sugar Mill Inn Academy, are from Prince Edward Island in Canada, and have regularly used the ferry service there that connects the island to the mainland.

Parsons said: “ The trip was so relaxing that I actually fell asleep!”

“In comparison to the ferry service we have back home, this [Jaden Sun] is much nicer.”

Captain Gooding, who co-owns Admirality Transport Company Ltd. with his wife Cashena, said that in comparison to the other ferries that he sails (Admiral and MV Jaden T), the new ferry is a better experience.

“There’s no comparison really. It’s a whole different feeling… a lot faster,” he shared.

Gooding also revealed that he soon hopes to be able to offer the public daily access to Grenada, making use of the fast ferry connection between there and Carriacou.

“You would be able to connect to Grenada any day you want, at a lower cost [than flying],” he said.

At the port in Bequia, a small crowd gathered to welcome the vessel.

Richard Providence, a Bequia resident, was extremely pleased to see that the Jaden Sun is now functioning.

“We’ve been longing for a service like this,” he enthused. “I’m going to make full use of it!”

Providence said that he was particularly impressed that the service is for passengers only because on other ferries, the loading of cargo sometimes delays their departure.

He also said it will be a great improvement for students, like his daughter, who travels to the mainland daily to attend college.

House Manager Mel Beecher was also on the inaugural trip.

“This is the way to travel,” he affirmed. “It’s well worth the cost!”

Another passenger said: “I was really surprised. I was expecting to feel sea-sick because I get nauseous riding inside boats, but that didn’t happen.”

“The water was still today, so we’ll see what the ride is like when its rough,” she added.

Passengers were treated to delicious refreshments provided by Janice Gibson catering.

The air-conditioned Jaden Sun caters to a maximum of 230 passengers, and is kitted out with padded seating, overhead storage, life jackets, pull-down trays, toilet facilities, garbage bins and sick bags.

Although the vessel is capable of travelling at a maximum speed of 34 knots, it will be operated at 25 knots for fuel consumption purposes, and to keep the engine from overheating in the hot Caribbean weather.

The journey from mainland to Bequia takes 20 – 25 minutes; 50 minutes to Canouan; and 1 hr 15 mins to Union Island. (JV)