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‘I Legend’ begins commercial trips to St Thomas, USVI

- company's first brand new vessel dedicated to founder Captain Ira L. Smith
'I Legend', the new ferry belonging to Smith’s Ferry Services, operated its first commercial trip to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) today, Monday, February 3, 2025.
Smith’s Ferry Services hosted the official launch of ‘I Legend’ on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. Photo: Facebook
Smith’s Ferry Services hosted the official launch of ‘I Legend’ on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at the Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park. Photo: Facebook
Smith's Ferry Services' newest vessel 'I Legend' was dedicated to the memory of company founder the late Captain Ira L. Smith. Photo: VINO
Smith's Ferry Services' newest vessel 'I Legend' was dedicated to the memory of company founder the late Captain Ira L. Smith. Photo: VINO
During February, customers can enjoy a 20% discount on one-way and roundtrip tickets. Photo: Smith's Ferry Services
During February, customers can enjoy a 20% discount on one-way and roundtrip tickets. Photo: Smith's Ferry Services
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- 'I Legend', the new ferry belonging to Smith’s Ferry Services, operated its first commercial trip to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI) today, Monday, February 3, 2025.

In an interview with Virgin Islands News Online (VINO) today, Director of Marketing, Ms Janette N. Brin said the ship left from Road Town at 7:30 AM to St Thomas.

Operating the normal ferry schedule to St Thomas, the vessel returned at 9:00 AM from Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. It will depart Road Town at 11:30 AM and return from Charlotte Amalie at 4:00 PM.

During February, customers can enjoy a 20% discount on one-way and roundtrip tickets.

‘It feels really good’- Janette N. Brin

Ms Brin said to have made it to this point feels “really good [and] really exciting”. The company hosted the official launch of ‘I Legend’ on Sunday, February 2, 2025, at Cyril B. Romney Tortola Pier Park.

“We had a good turnout yesterday with a lot of well-wishers, our full staff decked out in their new blue uniforms. So everybody's excited,” she said.

Smith’s Ferry Services’ first brand-new vessel

‘I Legend’ is the company’s first brand-new vessel and getting to this point has been in the making for over a year. “It’s a vessel that was built from scratch in Australia. It was designed by my brother Captain Rikky Baines and so definitely a long, long journey to get to this point,” she explained.

Once in the Virgin Islands, the process to get clearance to operate commercially between the USVI and the VI began, which took about a month.

The company, when it began operations in 1986, started with a used vessel and so to have been able to build one from scratch almost 40 years later was a “significant move” Brin said.

My grandfather would have been proud- Ms Brin

Smith’s Ferry Services was founded by the late Captain Ira L. Smith, Brin’s grandfather. ‘I Legend’ has been dedicated in his honour.

“He's well known throughout the Virgin Islands as a pioneer in the transportation industry.

He was a beloved teacher, the Virgin Islands' first architect, and a skilled boat builder. So as a family, we're very, very proud to be able to continue his legacy and his vision that he had for modernising transportation in the Virgin Islands,” she stated.

Her grandfather’s vision and leadership, she added, laid the foundation for what Smith’s Ferry has become.

Building on that foundation and adding a brand new vessel to the company’s fleet, Ms Brin said, would have made her grandfather proud.

Company turns 40 next year

The year 2026 will be a big one for the family-operated company as it will celebrate its fortieth anniversary. While careful not to reveal any plans, Ms Brin said, “We are working on a number of things, so I guess we’ll be talking about that soon.”

Discussions; however, have been around elevating customer and staff experience, as it is very important to the company.

“We really take pride in the fact that we're a local, locally, local-owned, family-owned business. We understand the importance that we have in, you know, making that connection between the US and British Virgin Islands, not just for visitors, but for locals, Virgin Islanders,” Ms Brin said.

She added that the "USVI-BVI connection" is very close and Smith’s Ferry Services recognises the importance it has also in creating employment opportunities.

“We understand the importance of what we mean or bring for small businesses around the Territory who have relied on ferry transportation for years. So, we’re definitely excited to just continue that legacy and make sure we provide the best in service for our community,” Ms Brin added.

7 Responses to “‘I Legend’ begins commercial trips to St Thomas, USVI”

  • Really (03/02/2025, 11:46) Like (9) Dislike (6) Reply

    Why does it cost so much to go right there. I don't see any 20% off with a high rate already. Just imagine traveling a buying a ticket to get on the boat to sit on a chair and I have to pay for my luggage,box etc to go on the floor. I don't know if it's just me that use all my brain because no one thinks about anything. You all just pay and go and ask no questions. Why pay to leave someplace you are born in? Departure tax...that'd absolutely high way robbery. Sorry but I can't wake up and be controlled I took some control of my life because everyday people get up and do what someone else tells them to. I am retired and glad because I don't think I can deal with this control anymore. When throughout your day do you do what you want without having to go around the government control

  • bvibuzz (03/02/2025, 11:49) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    This is good stuff our people are on the move
  • Congratulations Marge and Family (03/02/2025, 14:19) Like (12) Dislike (0) Reply
    Congratulations new vessel looks great .
  • asura (04/02/2025, 01:37) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    The smith family have worked very heard what a proud day
  • Lovely (04/02/2025, 08:15) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    Good news
  • tola (04/02/2025, 16:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I'm happy for them the captain K he's good cap ways on time
  • LOL (04/02/2025, 19:22) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Why that other ferry living on a Time warp like Irma just pass?


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