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For the past ten days or so, the vessels of the two ferry companies (Voyager and Great Bay Express) have been undergoing their annual dry-docking (maintenance and overhaul). To ensure that service between Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy would not be interrupted, Voyager had arranged for a replacement vessel, the Makena. This replacement was marked by several disruptions during the first week, particularly following the Makena’s reassignment to the route between Saba and Saint Eustatius. Then, on Monday, September 14, Voyager management announced that the Makena had broken down. As a result, all crossings were canceled until Sunday, September 20, when the Voyager 3 Dreamliner is scheduled to resume service in the evening. This is a highly problematic situation for many residents as well as travelers. However, travelers will be able to turn to the Great Bay Express, which announced on Thursday that it will resume service tomorrow, Friday, September 18.
What about territorial continuity?
Jean-Claude Latournerie, the director of Voyager Saint-Barth, regrets the difficulties passengers are facing and wishes to offer an explanation. “Our refit had been scheduled for a year,” the executive explains. “We tried to arrange for a replacement boat, which we were renting at our own expense. Unfortunately, that ended with an engine failure. Quite a few people are criticizing us for choosing the same date as the Great Bay Express for the refit. But the Great Bay chose its date two months ago without asking for our input—unlike what was done in the past—and our date had been set a year ago by Bureau Veritas. ” Having clarified that point, Jean-Claude Latournerie turns to another, far more sensitive issue: territorial continuity.
“Saint Barth is one of the only overseas islands that does not have territorial continuity or a public service delegation,” he notes before elaborating: “In Guadeloupe, at La Désirade, Les Saintes, or Marie-Galante, all residents who wish to travel are eligible for a special fare subsidized by the region or the department. The companies have a contract requiring them to have a replacement vessel in case their main vessel breaks down. This second vessel isn’t used very often, but the relevant local authority makes a payment, which allows them to keep a second vessel in working order year-round. In our case, I have a second boat, the Voyager 1. But I’ve stopped operating that boat—which is quite expensive, costing several hundred thousand euros—and we’re working with just one boat. So, if we want to find a solution during the dry-docking, we’ll bring in another boat via Anguilla or Sint Maarten, and we’ll see how it goes.”
“We’re taking it all on ourselves”
The director of the Voyager company explains that he doesn’t understand the “radio silence” from the Collectivity of Saint Barth. “It’s easy to blame everything on the Voyager. When there’s a flight delay, people assume the Voyager has to step in. We bear our share of the responsibility, but at some point, we can’t be expected to handle everything. I understand that the situation is causing significant difficulties—such as for people who need to undergo medical exams in Saint Martin or who arrive at the airport with no solution.”
Returning to the subject of the public service delegation (DSP) to ensure territorial continuity, Jean-Claude Latournerie clarifies that he is not saying the Voyager should be the beneficiary of a potential DSP. “In Guadeloupe, companies are joining forces; they have a second boat that they use when necessary,” he says. “We could imagine this solution, with everyone sharing the boat’s costs.” He goes on to emphasize the importance of ferries. “When there are no flights, we handle everything,” he asserts. “Elected officials need to realize the situation and do something.”
“A Public Service Delegation Is Not an Option”
When asked about the possibility of establishing a Public Service Delegation (DSP) in Saint Barthélemy, Territorial Council President Xavier Lédée responds: “Today, a public service delegation is not an option. Entering into a contract does not seem appropriate to me. As for the issue of territorial continuity, it’s a complex one. At the territorial level, we don’t necessarily have control over it—except by providing the best possible conditions for the ferries. That’s what we’ve done in terms of passenger capacity and coordinating crossings based on weather conditions. It has been mentioned several times—not necessarily in relation to the ferry itself—that territorial continuity could be achieved via Sint Maarten. This would make things easier for everyone. We’re also in talks with others who are exploring ways to establish additional connections.”
Earlier this week, as soon as the suspension of crossings was announced, solutions were proposed by private individuals. But nothing that could truly make up for the absence of the ferry. The situation should return to normal early next week, with the Voyager’s return from dry dock. Meanwhile, on Thursday, September 17, the Great Bay Express announced that it would resume its crossings between Sint Maarten and Saint Barth tomorrow, Friday, September 18.
