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UPDATE – Partial sinking of Road Town Fast Ferry was due to an “error” – Management

- Ferry Management says boat was being repaired on dry dock
The vessel "Makana" belonging to Road Town Fast Ferry which submerged halfway at dry dock in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands was not in service and was under repairs. It has now been been re-floated. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
The partially submerged boat yesterday July 11, 2012 before it was removed and re-floated today July 12, 2012. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
The partially submerged boat yesterday July 11, 2012 before it was removed and re-floated today July 12, 2012. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
The vessel was at Charlotte Amalie dock in St. Thomas. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
The vessel was at Charlotte Amalie dock in St. Thomas. Photo: VINO Team of Reporters
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – The partial sinking of “Makana”, one of the vessels belonging to Road Town Fast Ferry, took place while the vessel was being repaired on dry dock in St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands (USVI) was due to an “error” and no one was injured.

This is according to a statement released by the Management of Road Town Fast Ferry this morning July 12, 2012, following an incident yesterday July 11, where the vessel was submerged halfway in St. Thomas waters.

According to the statement, “As a result of an error, the boat took on water which resulted in partial submersion of our vessel.”

The company has confirmed this morning as well that the boat has since been removed from the water and dispelled reports by another online media that an investigation was on-going as the boat was not in service at the time of the incident.

“Despite all rumors, no workers or passengers were injured. Safety is paramount for us at Road Town Fast Ferry, and our entire fleet continues to meet the highest Coast Guard, and regulatory standards. We look forward to your continued patronage, as we deliver fast, safe and convenient ferry service to our loyal customers,” the release further stated.

The vessel is among the fleet that provides ferry service between the Virgin Islands and the USVI on a regular basis.

When the U.S. Virgin Islands Port Authority was contacted yesterday July 11, the officer this news site spoke with said they had not received any information on the incident so far. The Public Relations Officer was in a meeting and the Authority said they will contact this news site if they receive and want to make any statements on the incident.

75 Responses to “UPDATE – Partial sinking of Road Town Fast Ferry was due to an “error” – Management”

  • Joc (11/07/2012, 15:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    WHAT!? This is so unreal right now I hope no one was hurt.
    • traffic policeh (12/07/2012, 04:22) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Lord and me waz telling Pickering he needs to up-grade these boats and the docks and leave that airport thing alone..well saw I change my mind I sticking to plane
  • wow (11/07/2012, 15:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow..
    • we pushing fast ferry (12/07/2012, 04:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      looky here i all for the good of Bobby Hodge as he born in this country and I would like to see the boat man benifit....
  • hmmm (11/07/2012, 15:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    wow!!!!
  • BREAKING NEWS (11/07/2012, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Nice boat gone to waste!!
  • henry (11/07/2012, 15:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    This is why it is so important for people to learn to swim. It should be compulsory in school
    • Martine (11/07/2012, 16:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Hi! For your information, I teach swimming to adults and children throughout the year on Tortola. I agree with you about swimming being part of schools curriculum. A public pool on Tortola is highly needed for swimming instruction and competitive swimming training. One day...
      • henry (12/07/2012, 06:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Martine, I know you do and you do a good job. It is sad though that so many people here cant swim and there is absolutely no excuse for it. The government are long overdue in having pools built and swimming added as part of the curriculum - it will one day save many lives here.
  • HEH (11/07/2012, 15:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh SHIAT...
    • Mann up (12/07/2012, 04:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i only go on fast ferry so how am i to see these beautiful islands that we call home????
      • zip man (12/07/2012, 14:45) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        Mr. Hodge I'm really saddened by this event and will remeber you in my prayers
  • JOL (11/07/2012, 15:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Oh no Bobby....
  • text (11/07/2012, 16:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    My gosh
  • Lady H (11/07/2012, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Gosh VINO you all good man you all always have the stuff..now bobby what happen here? I sure ira must be smiling!
    • sense (11/07/2012, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      You mean cackling
    • mask man (11/07/2012, 16:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      And dem men dem from Native Son dem too having ah good old laugh
      • not native son (11/07/2012, 18:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
        keep off of native son we know what it feels like to have damage done to our boats we wish harm on no one ..we back broad
  • JVD MASSIVE (11/07/2012, 16:15) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Can't wait to hear the explanation on this one.
  • JVD MASSIVE (11/07/2012, 16:17) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Somebody got some splainin to do.
  • Release (11/07/2012, 16:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    gosh I went on the other two sites first when I heard this but next time I know I got to check VINO first…hats off again VINO…Bobby bouy god bless no one died.
    • Well meh boy (11/07/2012, 17:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Agreed Bviplatinum and bvinews does be so slow wid d news. VINO on top of tings!
    • Mr Shovels (12/07/2012, 00:59) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Or maybe they're just waiting until they have actual details to give us instead of just a picture?
  • whoa! (11/07/2012, 16:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    vino I must say I am not easily impressed but I am a bit impressed with this one.
  • JVD MASSIVE (11/07/2012, 16:25) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Hey, let's go over Percy's and get a cold greenie" "Shouln't one of us stay and watch the boat?" "Why? What's the worst that could possibly happen?"
    • King George (12/07/2012, 04:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      We need to stop hating and deeds other nonsense and work together for the common good of the country, as this could have happen to any of the Ferry companies.
  • rock man (11/07/2012, 16:28) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the boat just came off dry dock so maybe carelessness is the cause here
  • sand man (11/07/2012, 16:31) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    those shipyard men probably left a valve opened
  • Jim Bob (11/07/2012, 16:47) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey Bubba, was just going through my work pants and I found a plug, not sure where it goes, but I'll bring it to work tomorrow,assuming the RTFF is on time.
  • mother hen (11/07/2012, 16:50) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well me bouy hope your insurance tis up to date bobby
  • native baby (11/07/2012, 17:00) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well at least it happen next to the dock we lucky it never happen while they were sailing from rock city to tortola now that would have been double breaking news yall
    • green is the way (11/07/2012, 19:49) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i will go on bobby boat still before i go on your boat noise boat. I will give a free submarine ride
    • swimmer (12/07/2012, 11:01) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      ooooooooohhhhhhhh Hmmmmmmm the lesson here is these boats can sink, so when you all get on the next boat to go shop in St. Thomas ensure you close to a life jacket once aboard.
  • Not Surprise!! (11/07/2012, 17:24) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I find it funny how people are so quick to jump on the Cargo ships and how they are unsafe. When it looks like to me the ferries are the ones that they need to have tight regulations and laws. Are they the ones that are carrying passengers?
  • CrucianDIVA (11/07/2012, 19:07) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I hope eveyone's okay. Still my fave!
  • Confucius (11/07/2012, 19:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Wow Bobby ~ really sorry to hear this terrible news. Insurance is a blessing at a time like this. I hope you will be back up and running in no time. RTFF is by far the most comfortable of all the ferries and they actually stick to their schedule. I don't think Ira or Native Son will be "laughing" or "cackling" about this situation. A blown engine, hitting rocks, having your boat impounded due to drugs or illegal arms, drunken captains, sinking ~ these things happen to all of them at some point in time. Nobody would wish this on their worst enemy.
  • Another Ferry (11/07/2012, 20:58) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Lady H, Sense, Mask Man and any others that think the other companies would be smiling I think that you are the type of persons that enjoy to see your fellow man in a bad situation because you can do no better for yourself. We at the other ferries, neither Native Son, Smith's or Speedy's would be happy at such a tragic event. We all know how it feels to have bad situations and we do not wish it upon each other. We are competitors but at the end of the day we sit down together as friends and we are not ashamed of each other or ourselves cause we all reach out to help which ever of us that may be faltering.
  • Lilly (11/07/2012, 22:52) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Sad, sad!!!
  • live ah little (12/07/2012, 04:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why, oh why, does some of ayo act like this the first time I see a boat sink?? strupps
  • USA student (12/07/2012, 04:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I am happy to learn that the boat was not sailing and was on dry dock before it went back into the water when the mishap accorded or else it could have been a death trap.....
  • game on (12/07/2012, 05:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    i think the shipping registry needs to revisit regulation on ferries operating in the territories, especially to deal with maintenance as this incident could have happened at sea with passangers, women, kids etc on board. What happens in this event? Bobby I trust that it may have been another craft which hit the boat and not dude to someone carelessness! I know some ppl with bash about this however I am a concerns passenger, and parent and for me you cannot place a value or risk on life.
  • ausar (12/07/2012, 06:56) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The first thing that came to my mind was sabotage. I for one want to know what caused this. It's unheard of that a parked vessel would just sink like that.
  • rodent (12/07/2012, 07:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I see the ferry is at the Bend Over Marine Dry Dock.. Oops Sub Base Dry Dock.
  • captains (12/07/2012, 07:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    to u da public whenever something happens to one of this passenger ferry boats in our area in da world it gives a bad taste 4 all in that field its a sad thing but all surfer from this kind of thing .everyone can sit and type there finger of what there think but in the real thing is the end result
  • The Archivist (12/07/2012, 07:48) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hmm looks like the boat went for inspection and these people who operate the dry dock forgot to close something before the boat was either lift or went back in the water. This is bull and they need to pay. This is a dry dock issue. I say NEW BOAT FOR US who sail with Bobby because IRA and Naive Son know we are not going no where with them. I sticking with my number one.
    • hodge hill (12/07/2012, 14:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      i agree. uncle bobby you need to mek sure they give you another boat. you done survive wuss than dis before. you a hodge. we a strong breed. goin take mo than dis to bring we down. We been rolling wit you from way back and we going still wuk with who we know. no worries. BVI FAST FERRY all the way!
  • making sports (12/07/2012, 09:03) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    well boss that is a big error
  • ------------------ (12/07/2012, 09:23) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    thank God this did not happen while the boat was out at sea with our loves ones!!!.
  • x factor (12/07/2012, 10:41) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    bobby bossman me hope that X of your aint salt you boy....
  • invetigator (12/07/2012, 13:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the boat seems to be park close to a crusie ship so me hope it did not get broadsided!!!
    • neclear (12/07/2012, 14:05) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      you fools what crusie ship...so uninform
    • SAHRA PARLIN (12/07/2012, 17:02) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      TO INVETIGATOR; IF THE RT FAST FERRY HAD GOTTEN BROADSIDED FOOL FROM A CRUSIE SHIP DO YOU THINK THERE WILL BE ANYTHING LEFT?? DO SOME OF YOU THINK BEFORE YOU BLOG?
  • xxxxxxxxx (12/07/2012, 14:46) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    vino you jammi you mean you have before and after photos..lol
  • dog fight (12/07/2012, 23:34) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Booby you are a good man but sh$t happens
  • Captain Steve (13/07/2012, 07:39) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Hey mon, de ting don't wuk !
  • man rat (14/07/2012, 02:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    goodness what if people had died?/it would have had a thsand comments..lol
  • car jack (14/07/2012, 08:32) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    dem school children dem say tis waz caused by dey men dem working on dey exhausts...dem allow on side to fill up wid water while workin on dey other side...look melee
  • uuuuu (15/07/2012, 11:37) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    oh gosh vino this one was hot wid comments


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