Post by ferryfast admin on Dec 19, 2011 11:05:20 GMT -5
Fast Ferry to set sail today
By Yasmin Popescu
yasmin@nasguard.com
freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/318607292980383.php
Bahamas Express-Baleària Group
www.ferryexpress.com
Representatives of the Baleària Group apologized to their customers who were disappointed last week when the ferry was unable to begin its scheduled service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama, they said that the problems have now been sorted out and U.S. Homeland Security is acknowledging this new cruise vessel and they begin service today.
This is the first time the Baleària Group will be operating from the United States says Estefania Marti, checking manager, who is presently on island for the new operations.
Speaking with The Freeport News accompanied by public relations representative David Mackey of Mackey Media, she said that they will be operating their cruises every day except Wednesdays leaving Ft. Lauderdale at 10:00 a.m. arriving at 12:30 p.m.
"We leave Freeport at 7:30 p.m. and arrive at about 10 p.m.," she said.
Excited to start the services, Marti said, they thought they could have started last week but found they had an issue with clearance from Homeland Security.
In a press statement issued late on Wednesday evening, Bahamas Express announced that it would commence operations of its line between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama today, Friday December 16, 2011.
Pilar Lecha, area manager for Bahamas Express was quoted saying, "all administrative matters with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have been resolved and we look forward to welcoming our first passengers on this new service on this coming Friday."
It was noted that the Baleària Group has more than 13 years of experience operating regular ferry services in Europe and that this is the first time that the company will be operating in the United States.
They are said to be excited to be offering this service between Port Everglades and The Bahamas.
David Johnson, director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism said, "The Bahamas Express service provides an important link between South Florida and The Bahamas. It is an affordable and easily accessible option that appeals to a variety of travelers, particularly families and for those seeking a relaxing and hassle free route to The Bahamas. We look forward to treating guests to our Bahamian hospitality, whether coming for a day or staying for a week."
It was only a week ago that quite a number of persons in Grand Bahama bought tickets to travel on the ferry that was touted to replace Discover Cruises, but only to find out there were some paperwork that was not completed and the passengers were not allowed on-board even though the ship was at the Freeport Harbour.
Baleària is a Spanish shipping company which specializes in the transportation of people and roll-on/roll-off cargo in the Spanish Mediterranean. They operate routes between mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, as well as connections between the islands themselves. It is the only shipping company which has daily inter-island connections.
It is the second largest operator in terms of passenger numbers in the Strait of Gibraltar (the principal connecting point between Europe and Africa) where it has been operating since 2003. In total, it operates 21 routes with ferry or fast ferry services, in accordance with the distance and requirements of the passengers.
From completely private capital, Baleària directly employs almost 1,000 people, spread over land and on-board services, with 15 operational ships, which are both ferries and fast ferries.
By Yasmin Popescu
yasmin@nasguard.com
freeport.nassauguardian.net/national_local/318607292980383.php
Bahamas Express-Baleària Group
www.ferryexpress.com
Representatives of the Baleària Group apologized to their customers who were disappointed last week when the ferry was unable to begin its scheduled service between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama, they said that the problems have now been sorted out and U.S. Homeland Security is acknowledging this new cruise vessel and they begin service today.
This is the first time the Baleària Group will be operating from the United States says Estefania Marti, checking manager, who is presently on island for the new operations.
Speaking with The Freeport News accompanied by public relations representative David Mackey of Mackey Media, she said that they will be operating their cruises every day except Wednesdays leaving Ft. Lauderdale at 10:00 a.m. arriving at 12:30 p.m.
"We leave Freeport at 7:30 p.m. and arrive at about 10 p.m.," she said.
Excited to start the services, Marti said, they thought they could have started last week but found they had an issue with clearance from Homeland Security.
In a press statement issued late on Wednesday evening, Bahamas Express announced that it would commence operations of its line between Fort Lauderdale and Grand Bahama today, Friday December 16, 2011.
Pilar Lecha, area manager for Bahamas Express was quoted saying, "all administrative matters with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have been resolved and we look forward to welcoming our first passengers on this new service on this coming Friday."
It was noted that the Baleària Group has more than 13 years of experience operating regular ferry services in Europe and that this is the first time that the company will be operating in the United States.
They are said to be excited to be offering this service between Port Everglades and The Bahamas.
David Johnson, director general of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism said, "The Bahamas Express service provides an important link between South Florida and The Bahamas. It is an affordable and easily accessible option that appeals to a variety of travelers, particularly families and for those seeking a relaxing and hassle free route to The Bahamas. We look forward to treating guests to our Bahamian hospitality, whether coming for a day or staying for a week."
It was only a week ago that quite a number of persons in Grand Bahama bought tickets to travel on the ferry that was touted to replace Discover Cruises, but only to find out there were some paperwork that was not completed and the passengers were not allowed on-board even though the ship was at the Freeport Harbour.
Baleària is a Spanish shipping company which specializes in the transportation of people and roll-on/roll-off cargo in the Spanish Mediterranean. They operate routes between mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands, as well as connections between the islands themselves. It is the only shipping company which has daily inter-island connections.
It is the second largest operator in terms of passenger numbers in the Strait of Gibraltar (the principal connecting point between Europe and Africa) where it has been operating since 2003. In total, it operates 21 routes with ferry or fast ferry services, in accordance with the distance and requirements of the passengers.
From completely private capital, Baleària directly employs almost 1,000 people, spread over land and on-board services, with 15 operational ships, which are both ferries and fast ferries.