June 22, 2009 — Mechanical problems with Transportation Services' ferries mean a big change in the Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, to Cruz Bay, St. John, runs through July 4.
The Charlotte Amalie ferries will depart at 8:30 a.m. instead of the usual 9 a.m., at 10:30 a.m. instead of 11 a.m., and at 12:30 p.m. instead of 1 p.m. The schedule will not change for the 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. runs.
On the Cruz Bay-to-Charlotte Amalie trips, the 2:15 p.m. will be eliminated. The schedule will not change for the 7:15 a.m., 9:15 a.m. 11:15 a.m. 1:15 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. runs.
With some Transportation Services ferries out of commission, the gap is being filled by Varlack Ventures, which shares the route with Transportation Services, as well as Inter Island Boat Services and Caribbean Performance Boats, according to Public Services Commission spokesman Lorna Nichols.
"The most important thing is taking people from Cruz Bay so they can make their planes," she said.
If the Cruz Bay-to-Charlotte Amalie ferry schedule changed, visitors may not get the word and miss their flights, Nichols said. The change is less pressing on the Charlotte Amalie-to-Cruz Bay runs, because the taxi drivers inform arriving visitors.
The Red Hook, St. Thomas, to Cruz Bay ferry service is not impacted, Nichols said. On Independence Day, as St. John holds its annual July 4th Celebration, the ferries between Red Hook and Cruz Bay will leave when they are filled.
Transportation Services spokesman Kenrick Augustus did not return a call requesting comment.
Call the PSC at 776-1291, 776-1391 or 778-6010.
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