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New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra

Rio Grande, Puerto...
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New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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The following from this weeks Caribbean Business:

The Puerto Rico Tourism Co. is betting that a private ferry launched this week will make the offshore island towns of Vieques and Culebra more accessible to vacationers.

PRTC Executive Director Luis Rivera Marín noted that the twin-hulled Big Cat Express ferry, which can hold some 360 passengers, will cut crossing times between Fajardo and the Vieques and Culebra by nearly half.

“This new transport service will ease the movement of passengers,” he said as the 151-foot Big Cat Express was launched into service on Wednesday.

The catamaran joins two private cargo vessels added this month to help improve the problem-plagued public ferry service between Fajardo and Culebra and Vieques.

The three private ferries ― two cargo boats and a passenger vessel ― were contracted from Puerto Rico Fast Ferries (PRFF) to help the Maritime Transport Authority address spotty service that has drawn increasing protests from Vieques and Culebra residents, many of who rely on ferry service to work, shop and get medical care on the main island of Puerto Rico.

The 160-foot cargo ferries ― the M/V Sea Angel and the M/V Great Scott ― can carry a deck load of 280 tons, equivalent to six 40-foot containers or between 12 to 18 cars. Both have room for 68 passengers in an air-conditioned cabin.

The cargo ferries can reach speeds of up 30 knots, or just over 34 miles per hour, and can make the crossing from Fajardo to Culebra or Vieques in just under 45 minutes. Both have well-appointed passenger compartments with three plasma TV screens for entertainment.

The Big Cat Express, with a twin-hull design that provides for a smooth ride, can travel up to 37 knots, or more than 40 miles per hour, cutting the time of runs between Fajardo and Vieques or Culebra to about 30 minutes.

As reported by CARIBBEAN BUSINESS online in March, Gov. Luis Fortuño said his administration would launch private ferry service to the tourism hotbeds of Vieques and Culebra amid frustration over efforts to improve the system run by the central government’s Maritime Transport Authority.

Fortuño said that the privatization plan would not mean public sector layoffs or fare hikes and won’t sink the MTA’s service.

Plans for private administration of the ferries first surfaced in September 2010 when a Public-Private Partnership Authority initiative was announced to improve transportation service between Fajardo, Vieques and Culebra as one of four potential projects for development through a public-private partnership.

As also reported by CARIBBEAN BUSINESS in August, the MTA turned to the private sector to help shore up its service.

The local agency, which falls under the Department of Transportation & Public Works umbrella, fielded two bids for a contract to provide operational support and maintenance. The deal also called for the contract holder to provide training and continuing education for ferry captains, crew members and technical personnel.

Reading...
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1. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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"...launched into service on Wednesday?" This is in service NOW? I need to find more information.... fares, schedules, etc.

Rio Grande, Puerto...
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for San Juan
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2. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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It's my understanding that the fares are the same and the schedule is the same. Apparently these "new" ferries are being used to augment service, not provide new services, schedules, etc.

Atlanta, Georgia
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3. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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Ray,

As we know, the proof is always in the pudding. For years we heard new projects and always same results. The only thing I see so far is the new construction by Fajardo ferry.

San Juan, Puerto...
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4. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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Thanks for the info. This is great news!

Puerto Rico
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5. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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It has been said that the trip on the new Catamaran ferry to Vieques takes only 35 minutes.

Williamsburg...
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6. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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this a bit confusing. there is no service, ferry or lancha, between Culebra and Vieques, is there?

HG

NYC
Destination Expert
for Isla de Vieques
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4,455 posts
50 reviews
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7. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra
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nothing scheduled. hasnt been for years

8. Re: New Private Ferry to Vieques / Culebra

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