The mayors of Vieques and Culebra are against HMS Ferries taking over transport activities

Although the governor Pedro Pierluisi supports the operation of passenger and freight transport between the Big Island and the municipal islands through a public-private partnership (APP), the mayors of Vieques and from Culebra Juan A. Corcino Y Edilberto Romero, respectively, are against that mechanism.

Both mayors are in favor of establishing a cooperative to provide the service, and expected to hold dialogues and meetings to reverse the $ 750.9 million contract that gave way to the APP last December. Company HMS Ferries Inc. it was the one selected for the APP for 23 years.

We have to wait for (the APP) to arrive, but I understand it will not work because at this point with HMS, the company chosen, I have not seen any changes. There are many things in the contract that concern us, and I have spoken to them and raised it: the need for amendments, ”said Corcino.

“I’m worried, for example, that the number of journeys will drop from eight to four. We can’t go back. How residents identify people who provide humanitarian services. At this point, the maritime transportation system collapsed, ”he said.

The two mayors agreed in separate interviews that maritime transport is at its “worst” moment, although the transition between the two Maritime Transport Authority (ATM) and the company HMS Ferries.

“This transition is scheduled for three years under the contract. (HMS) will not bring any new boats. We will continue with the plan. We will provide continuity to what we have under repair,” said the ATM’s acting director. , Miguel Betancourt

The ATM leased, at a cost of $ 2.2 million, two ships from HMS Ferries to be inspected by the coastguard and then start working.

The ATM only operates one ship: Cayo Blanco. Other ships, such as Julia Leigh, Mr. Mason and the barge Marilin S. are chartered.

Betancourt said the solution to the disjointed maritime transportation in Vieques and Culebra is the APP “because the new operator will bring all of its knowledge, ‘expertise’ and years of experience operating ferries in the United States to Puerto Rico.”

I’m with the mayor of Vieques. We are not hopeful with the APP as it has taken decades. We, the residents of Culebra, have not seen the solution or the light at the end of the road. We are so run over. The APP works in Cataño, but has not come to Ceiba, it is most needed there, ”says Romero.

He pointed out that the ships rented from HMS Ferries are inadequate. “They are even smaller catamarans than the Julia Leigh, which, because they are smaller, are suspended from travel due to the waves,” he wondered.