Two Barges Servicing St. Thomas/St. John Route Eases Congestion, Port Authority Says

ST. THOMAS -- Virgin Islands Port Authority Executive Director Carlton Dowe provided an update on the barge service availability after barges were grounded by the US Coast Guard yesterday, leaving only one barge in operation and causing long lines to form, according to a press release V.I.P.A. issued today. Mr. Dowe said that the barges operated by Boyson, Inc. and Global Marine are still out of service. However, Love City Car Ferries provided barge transportation yesterday using its M/V Island Vic barge after its second barge, the M/V Captain Vic, was grounded following a Coast Guard inspection. The M/V Captain Vic was cleared by the Coast Guard and put back into service at 8 pm yesterday. Both barges are currently providing service between St. Thomas and St. John, and while traffic is still heavy, the loading process is going a lot faster with the two vessels in operation, Mr. Dowe said. The release further stated that the Coast Guard has ordered the M/V Island Vic to transport all h...