Posted by: travadmin on Dec 31, 2003 – 01:04 PM
excursions A bi-weekly catamaran service between Nassau and Florida is expected to be relaunched in early 2004.
The “sophisticated” twin-hulled, hydrofoil-powered vessel, at over 300 feet in length, can accommodate up to 900 passengers, 250 vehicles, and travel at speeds up to 55 miles per hour.
Chief Marketing Officer of Bahamas Ferries – that operates the service through its sister company, Bahamas-Florida Express, Khaalis Rolle, said Monday that services between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, Grand Bahama started on November 1, but not extended to Nassau as there was no berthing facility in place at the time.
He said, regular services between Nassau and Port Everglades should commence either at the end of January or the first week of February 2004.
A round trip fare of $150, not including taxes, is presently being considered, with the voyage taking four-and-a-half hours.
A “temporary service” into Nassau from Grand Bahama, is expected to start on New Year’s Day, according to Mr Rolle.
Due to the diversity of goods that can be transported, he added, restrictions would be placed on items that could be carried. With regard to a formal policy being announced, he said, “The hold up on this right now is determining how our facilities will accommodate what we can bring.”
The system that the company plans to put in place to clear goods is very “sound”, Mr Rolle said and a noticeable improvement over previous operations. He said that discussions have already been held with Customs Comptroller John Rolle.
The proposed operation has also received the full support of officials of the Ministries of Transport and Tourism, he said.
Mr Rolle said that one of the challenges faced by the operators using the Freeport facility was related to space, but “progress” was being made on a daily basis.
“This has been one of our biggest constraints right now,” he said, and could pose a problem once the Cat arrives in Nassau. “Certainly this is one of the reasons why we are taking so long because we are going through the logistical process to make the service comfortable for our customers,” he noted.
Mr Rolle said that the 98-meter vessel was built by INCAT, an Australian company, is very “sophisticated” and based on one of the best design concepts in the hemisphere.
Source: Tamara McKenzie, The Nassau Guardian