NASSAU, Bahamas — The shipping company Baleària Caribbean will be adding the fast ferry Jaume II to the route between Fort Lauderdale and Freeport, Grand Bahama, to replace the Jaume I as of mid-January, The Bahamas Investor website reported January 8.
Jaume II was re-engined in 2017 for greater energy efficiency and service reliability as well as a higher speed. This fast ferry sails at 35 knots and will complete the route in two and a half hours. The first trip will be during this month, departing at 8 a.m. from the Fort Lauderdale port for Freeport.
The ‘Jaume II’, which will replace the ‘Jaume I’, also has a similar capacity at 600 passengers and can sail at a speed of 35 knots.
“The new ship will complete the route in less time. Moreover, the interior was recently reformed for more passenger comfort. We’d like to improve our service between Fort Lauderdale and the Bahamas with this addition,” explained Mario Otero, General Manager of Baleària Caribbean.
Baleària Caribbean offers four weekly connections between Fort Lauderdale and the island of Grand Bahama on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays with departures from Fort Lauderdale at 8:00 a.m. and from Freeport at 6:30 p.m.
FAST FERRY JAUME II
The ship, which has the capacity for 600 passengers, is 81 meters long with a hull of 26. It offers accommodation in regular and superior seats as well as a café, shop and dog hotel. Additionally, it is equipped for people with reduced mobility including 9-12 adapted lounge seats, adapted restrooms in communal areas, 1-2 safety anchorage points for wheelchairs and access ramps from the car deck.
