Over the years I’ve witnessed many changes to the island ferries, from sailing vessels such as the Friendship Rose to large, motorized vessels like the Admiral ships and the Bequia Express Fleet. Some of the boats were cramped and rather uncomfortable, often resulting in wet clothing and salt-encrusted hair by the time they arrived at Kingstown port. Today’s modern ferries offer cushioned seats and air-conditioned lounges, making the one-hour passage across the Bequia channel a lot less onerous and blessedly DRY!
The Jaden Sun was (and still IS) the first fast ferry to operate throughout the Grenadines. The sleek vessel, owned and captained by Bequia’s Elvis Presley Gooding, skims across the channel in half the time it takes the other ferries. The interior resembles that of an airplane, with rows of seats down the middle as well as beside the curtained windows, seats that offer enough room for even the longest legs. The back of each seat is fitted with a net holding safety information for the ferry as well as a discreet black plastic bag, which to the discerning channel-crosser might be cause for concern but is nevertheless a nice gesture on the part of Captain Gooding!
I’ve always found the fast ferry to be spotlessly clean, including the bathrooms. The well-stocked snack bar provides food and hot or cold beverages, a feature I am sure those traveling from the southern Grenadine islands appreciate. It’s a pleasure indeed to settle down in a window seat and watch as the Jaden Sun turns around in Admiralty Bay and heads out to sea, and knowing that the trip across the channel will be fast is a huge bonus.
My problem with the Jaden Sun is the movement it makes as it plows through the waves; it’s kind of a cork-screw motion that without fail makes me queasy even on the best of days, and I try my best to ignore the presence of that little plastic bag because I do not EVER want to be forced to use it! On a calm day the trip is seamless, on a choppy day not so much. When the wind is stiff and the waves rough, I hang on with white knuckles for dear life, gritting my teeth as the ferry bounces relentlessly. At the conclusion of one particularly brutal crossing the captain as usual spoke to his passengers on the intercom;
“Ladies and gentlemen, we have arrived at Kingstown. Normally I would say I hope you enjoyed the trip, but today I know you didn’t!”
He got THAT right! The passage had been downright horrendous, and I felt for those who had boarded at Union, they were a very seasick and sorry-looking group of people!
Since that day, although I appreciate its existence, I have never taken the Jaden Sun when I know the sea is going to be rough. On a calm day crossing the channel is a pleasure, on a choppy day not so much but at least the trip will be over quickly. On a rough day? That’s when the fast ferry is jokingly called “de vomit comet” – those discreet plastic bags are provided for a reason!