When the news was released on Monday night “that a 127 passenger capacity ferry will provide services between Montserrat and Antigua on “Wednesday and Saturday December 8 and 11, 2010 respectively,” the reaction was positive. There were 19 people ready to take the first trip over to Antigua on Thursday morning.
Access Coordinator Vincent Hipployte who has been the victim of heavy criticism for not having in place a firm position on the ferry, further announced, “Every effort is being made to obtain confirmation from the ferry operators for daily ongoing service.”
However on Thursday evening it was unofficial, but information reaching TMR said that the ferry operators did confirm their availability and the ferry will operate everyday from Monday.
On Thursday night at about 10.00 o’clock the Nevis ferry, ‘Carib Queen’ arrived with just over 80 passengers, though later than scheduled. The ferry had been delayed to accommodate passengers arriving on flights out of the UK at 6.00 p.m. at V C Bird airport.
A few passengers however missed the ferry trip to Montserrat and the ferry operations management in Montserrat, in Mr. Roosevelt Jemmotte explained that the possibility existed where “some people were just waiting around rather than recognizing that they needed to cooperate…”
He added: “…we normally at this time of the year facilitate persons who we can, with the approval of the master in vessel because there are number of considerations for night travel by sea, the sea swells the associated weather and one has to recognize that safety is the safety consideration that has to be taken.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday it was confirmed, “The Government of Montserrat has also arranged with Montserrat Airways Limited (FlyMontserrat) to increase its daily service effective Wednesday, December 8 – 25, 2010 on the days when it is necessary to do so, in order to accommodate additional passenger traffic for the Christmas season.”
The one way ferry fare is $150 for adults and EC$75 for children under 12 years.
