While some ferryboat operators at the Prince George Dock on Thursday praised Kerzner International’s Marina Village for increased business as a result of the retail and restaurants attraction at Atlantis, others said that it has attracted competition from other ferryboat operators.
Bertram Ferguson, captain of Full Moon Ferry Boat, said many tourists wishing to visit Marina Village are lining up to take the short ferry ride to Paradise Island.
“Atlantis did a lot of work and Marina Village is attracting a lot of people,” Mr. Ferguson said. “Some of the people ride the ferry and some ride the taxi. But lately business was all right.
“You could now make $250 to $300 a day, even on a slow day like today when no cruise ships are in. Many of the guys [other ferry boat operators], are carrying full loads over to the island [Paradise Island].”
But Basil Rolle, president of the Ferry Boat Operators Association, said profits were higher when competition was not so stiff.
Mr. Rolle feels that Marina Village not only contributed to an increase in patrons, but also an increase in competition from other ferryboat operators.
“It could become more profitable and one time it was more profitable, but now we have plenty competitors,” Mr. Rolle said. “All of the competition cuts back on what we make.”
Mr. Rolle also pointed to other concerns, among them the fact that Discover Atlantis, a tour operation, is allowed to take passengers directly from cruise ships over to Paradise Island.
He said that this cuts out ferryboat operators, who depend on cruise ships for most of their patrons.
Fredrick Comez, captain of Eve Zone Two, said business could always be better, but it is not as bad as some claim.
“A lot of the men are not satisfied because a lot of them are greedy,” Mr. Comez said. “You could make a fair living in this business, but there is always room for improvement. We are getting our fair share, but to be honest it would be better if we were to improve our boats.”
On Thursday, some passengers expressed pleasure with the ferryboat rides.
Gloretta Wilson-Omoloshale, a tourist from Virginia, said that she chooses the water taxi to experience a different mode of transportation.
“A taxi is common,” she said. “You could go to any city and you can ride any taxi and I ride taxis all the time. One of the things that I look forward to coming to the islands is being closer to the ocean, outdoors, and in the open and that is what the ferry can provide.”
Kha Ferguson, a native of New Jersey, said that water is just more relaxing.
“One of the reason that I chose the ferry instead of other forms of transportation is to see the sites on the water,” Mrs. Ferguson said. “The water is very soothing.”
By: Perez Clarke, The Bahama Journal
