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by pltm
(PLTM) - At least three ferry companies which operate within the British Virgin Islands (BVI) and the US Virgin Islands (USVI), have decided not to increase their fares, despite the impact of Hurricane Irma.
More than a month after Irma, ferry services are back in operation in the BVI, but all have scaled down operations because of the damage the sector sustained from Hurricane Irma.
"Thankfully we secured all of our three ferries and they are all safe now. Our prices have remained the same as well. It's $35 dollars for one way and $45 dollars round trip," said Native Son's Assistant Manager, Asheina Lennard Blyden, who also disclosed that the company is only offering trips to the US Virgin Island of St. Thomas at this time.
Many natives and expatriates of the BVI lost jobs after Hurricane Irma battered local businesses. But Albion Hodge, who owns the Road Town Fast Ferry, is one of the few business owners who did not suffer that fate.
"We didn't suffer a lot of damage except for one of our five vessels, which is completely down. And we have managed to keep all our employees with us," Hodge told our news team, as he gave us a tour of two catamarans which he added to his fleet after Hurricane Irma.
"These are more modern carriers and they can hold 300 people, more than any other boat around here. They offer a more comfortable ride and we will have them out in the waters once they are properly checked and registered to operate," said Hodge, who revealed that the catamarans cost over $12 million.
Smith's Ferry took hardest hit. While other Ferry companies fared well, Smith's Ferry lost 4 out of 5 vessels in its fleet. Despite this, the company has been using its sole vessel to offer trips to Virgin Gorda.
"Irma brought us back to square one. It left us with one vessel and one route, which is what we started with in '86," said Managing Director Marjorie Smith, who spoke to BVI Platinum News at the cruise dock in Road Town.
She revealed that the company also lost half of its 32 employees after Irma hit.
"We just don't have enough for them to do at this time," Smith admitted.
Standing in front of a damaged vessel that belongs to Smith's Ferry, Smith admitted that losses for the current season are already over $2 million.
"There is still a lot to smile about. God is very much alive and He is in our midst. Little by little we will rebuild our company and we will rebuild our islands, and we smile through it," she said with a smile.
She then revealed that Smith's Ferry had just brought in relief supplies from the USVI to assist a church in the BVI.
She pointed to the damaged vessel. "Right now the authorities are asking us to remove this damaged vessel from the pier and I received a quote of $40,000 just to float this vessel. But we want to tell the people of the BVI that we will rebuild to serve their needs. We have to crawl before we walk, but hopefully by January we should be better," Smith said.
