18 October 2017

Saba and Sint Eustatius to have sea transport link to Saint Kitts

Draft Constitution for an autonomous Sint Eustatius supports transport and trade links with neighboring Caribbean countries.  


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The Bottom, Saba– Saba and St. Eustatius will get a scheduled ferry service with neigboring St. Kitts and, in the case of Saba, also with Sint Maarten. The service to St. Kitts will be provided 3 times per week, while there will be a direct connection between Saba and Sint Maarten 2 times per week by means of the Edge.

Commissioner of Tourism in Saba, Bruce Zagers said to be happy with news that an agreement has been reached with Aquamania Adventures to start with the ferry services operated out of Saba. According to the Commissioner, the assistance and cooperation received from the Ministry of Economic Affairs in the Netherlands was instrumental. 

Starting on Thursday, October 5th, 2017, the Edge will be running a 3 times weekly ferry service between Saba, Statia and St. Kitts, on Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. The Edge will depart Saba at 7:30 am and arrive in St. Kitts at 10:45 am at the Zante Port, with a stop in Statia, at 8:45 am on the way. 

The ferry will then depart from St. Kitts at 3:30 pm for the return trip to Saba, also stopping in Statia. The stops in Statia according to the Commissioner will be based on necessity when there are passengers to disembark or reservations for persons to be picked up. 

In addition to this, there will be a twice-weekly service between Saba and St. Maarten. The Edge will depart Saba on Mondays at 8:15 am and will return on Wednesdays, departing St. Maarten at 3 pm from the Simpson Bay dock of Aquamania Adventures. It will also make a day trip on Fridays departing Saba at 8:15 am and St. Maarten at 3:30 pm for the return trip. 

“Connectivity is important for Saba, as isolation can be a detriment to a small island’s economy”, said Zagers. “This ferry service provides the opportunity for visitors and locals alike to travel between the islands, creating the possibility for our tourism industry to survive during a difficult period”, according to the Commissioner. 

According to Zagers, already there are visitors hoping to visit during Saba’s annual event of Sea & Learn. Zagers said that he was confident that the service would open the gateway for more visitors to come.