Fast ferry soon to be back in action

Persons who travel regularly between mainland St Vincent and the Grenadine islands should be relieved to know that the country’s lone fast ferry the Jaden Sun, should resume its services in June.{{more}}

Yesterday, while speaking at a press conference, Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves revealed that a replacement engine for the ferry had arrived and that Elvis Gooding, the captain of Jaden Sun, indicated that their operations should resume by June 1.

“I’ve spoken to Elvis Gooding. He reported to me this morning that the engine is inside of the fast ferry. They are doing some tests and they should start operating the latest on June 1,” Gonsalves said.

In December 2013, SEARCHLIGHT reported that the Jaden Sun had ceased operations because of the loss of one of the vessel’s two engines. It was also indicated by management that this engine would have been expensive to replace.

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves, in February 2014, indicated that the Government would lend the company which owns the ferry US$100,000 to buy the engine through PetroCaribe, at an interest rate of four per cent over a 10-year period.

During the press conference yesterday, the Prime Minister reiterated that the fast ferry would also benefit from a $300,000 subsidy in exchange for tickets for government workers and schoolchildren, and that all vessels that carry passengers and cargo to the Grenadine islands would be able to purchase fuel duty free.

Gonsalves also noted that conventional ferry Barracuda, to which he had offered a similar loan arrangement, should be back in operation in the coming weeks as well.(BK)