Today we mourn the passing of Love City Car Ferries, Inc very first investor, Lanford O. Lettsome of the British Virgin Islands, father of Anecia Lettsome Sewer and father in law to Llewellyn T. Sewer. Some may ask why is this pertinent to the operations of Love City Car Ferries, Inc., my only response is that it is pertinent because without his confidence in our ability to succeed this company would not exist. No bank would give us a loan without collateral. We were so young at the time that we had none. Every one we asked on St. John told us no. But my father said yes. Our first loan was granted by the Bank of Nova Scotia for $90,000. We used those funds to transport the M/V Capt Vic to the Virgin Islands from Alabama. 

I have asked on many occasions, why he believed in us when so many others did not. All I can surmise is that my father was jus a very loving and kind human being. May his soul rest in peace. We are forever grateful for his love for us and for his confidence in us. Today the M/V Grand Vic's flags will fly at half staff in his honor.

Love City Car Ferries is excited to announce that the Grand Vic will run on Black Friday, 11/23/2018, on Capt Vic’s regular schedule. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

Noncommercial vehicles will receive a 10% discount on the Round Trip Fare.

Thank you for choosing Love City Car Ferries, Inc.

The Motor Vessel Grand Vic that is owned and operated by Love City Car Ferries, Inc arrived in the Virgin Islands late evening on Monday, November 12, 2018. This vessel was built by Steiner Shipyard in Mobile Alabama. However the process to get it to completion was an up hill battle. Nevertheless, we persevered.
No victory is ever achieved alone and thus we give thanks. We would like to especially thank the attorneys and staff at Dudley Topper & Feuerzeig, LLP without whom we would have failed multiple times over. Special thanks to Attorney Kurt Petri and Attorney Gregory Hodges whom we spoke to and interacted with almost on a daily basis. We are grateful for their service. In addition, we would like to thank the crew who brought the Grand Vic down. The M/V Grand Vic is dedicated to the people of the Virgin Islands and as such, we thank you for your patience and understanding. More importantly, we thank the Love City Car Ferries, Inc staff for working tirelessly. We know that the front lines is a tough place to be, especially when you have to encounter angry customers who are tired of waiting in long lines; we appreciate you; you are family. Above all, we thank God for strengthening our faith and our close friends and family for giving us the moral support we needed.

Love City Car Ferries, Inc Board

The following pictures were taken at different stages of the building process, while the vessel was still at the shipyard and thus they do not necessarily reflect the actual image today. New pictures will be shared once the vessel has made its inaugural voyage.

Thanks to all the lovely 6th, 7th, and 8th graders who submitted their essays for Love City Car Ferries, Inc Back to School Essay Contest. We are now in the judging phase and will announce winners soon. We apologize for any delays but other things were more pressing. Winners will be announced before Thanksgiving. Thanks for your patience and understanding during this process.

For more information on this contest, read the initial blog post on the event. Click here.

In this small family business, we do our best to uphold the maritime legacy of the ole’ time St. John families. As many of you know, our fleet is named after Captain Llewellyn Sewer’s grandfather, Captain Victor William Sewer, aka Captain Vic. The Victor William Sewer Marine Facility, also known as the Creek, is named after this pioneer in the marine industry of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Act No 7008 of the Virgin Islands Legislature notes many of Captain Victor Sewer’s notable contributions to the people of the U.S. Virgin Islands, which included using his boat the “Jolly Roger” as a floating classroom and establishing the first ferry service between Cruz Bay, St. John and Tortola. He was also instrumental in the founding of commercial marine transportation between Red Hook and Cruz Bay, as the first boat Captain of the St. John Development Corporation. Captain Victor Sewer inherited this maritime tradition from his own father, Captain Lancelot Sewer, and other elders in the East End community of the island. In fact, when we trace the genealogy of the families— the Sewers, the Varlacks, and the Boynes for example— we find that this business is a service to the people and the Ancestors as it upholds a traditional family vocation that has lasted for hundreds of years. Here at Love City Car Ferries, Inc we are pleased to have the opportunity to employ and train the next generation of boat captains and entrepreneurs in the marine industry of the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

In the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, the Love City Car Ferries community is grateful for the opportunity to continue providing the people of the Virgin Islands with a critical service. We know that transportation across Pillsbury Sound is essential and we appreciate your continued support. Per usual, the Love City Car Ferries family would like to thank all of our valued customers for riding the Motor Vessel Capt Vic. If you have not had an opportunity to do so, please check out the Terms of Carriage on our site. It contains information regarding luggage, cargo, cancellations, delays, filing complaints, and the company’s refund policy.

We apologize for any inconvenience you have/had experienced in your attempt to catch a car ferry between St. Thomas and St. John, Virgin Islands, wherein Love City Car Ferries, Inc via the M/V Capt Vic was your service provider. We are doing our utmost to accommodate everyone. However, currently we are the only car ferry service in operation and at such times the lines are long which results in frustration, especially when someone was allowed to jump the line.
     Before delving into the issue of jumping the line, please keep the following in mind when catching a car ferry during times of high congestion:

1. Arrive at least 20-30 minutes before the departure time for M/V Capt Vic’s scheduled departures;
2. First come first served has its limitations (explanation below;)
3. Vessel stability is the a priori factor that governs loading;
4. The United States Coast Guard certified Captain on duty has the final say regarding the loading of the vessel.

     Generally the vessel is loaded first come, first served.  However this manner of loading has its limitations and at times other factors take precedent. This is not an issue when there are several car ferries in operation.  But when the number of ferries constricts, then customers get frustrated when they see others taking priority in the line. This frustration is understandable. Customers may then think that Love City Car Ferries is being unfair. But things aren’t always as they appear at face value.
     While we are here to accommodate everyone, please keep the following in mind:

1. food via trailers has to come to St. John, 
2. gas has to come to St. John, 
3. the mail has to come to St. John, 
4. the garbage has to leave St. John, 
5. customers on dialysis have to leave St. John to get treatment,
6. cancer patients have to leave St. John for treatment etc.
7. reservations have been prepaid and some are catching flights,
8. another car further back in the line may be a better fit for stability reasons. 

Without food and gas none of us can have a sustainable existence on St. John. Also, health care for critically ill patients is a matter of life and death. Finally, as a tourist destination, it is quite unsightly for the garbage to be piled up on the island. Or, there may be a concrete pour on St. John and the concrete can not sit on the docks. As a result of all of these factors and a myriad of others that may occur, we have to make decisions on a case by case basis, that may result in a particular customer taking priority in the line.
     Hence, if you are in the line and someone jumps the line in front of you, please know that we do not value them more than you. Instead there are other factors that demand us to allow said customer to take priority.
     During this time of increase congestion on the dock, we are continually reminded of our motto “A Heart for the People.” As it guides us, we hope it will guide our customers, as well, in knowing that we appreciate each and every one of you and that we will do our utmost to ensure that we serve everyone to the best of our ability.

Download the application and submit via mail at Human Resources, Love City Car Ferries, Inc. P. O. Box 12209, St. Thomas, VI 00801 or you can hand deliver to our offices at Office Suite II, Room 202, The Marketplace, St. John, VI, finally you can submit via email at info@lovecitycarferries.com. 

It is that time of year again and we at Love City Car Ferries, Inc. were wondering how to celebrate the educational experience of our children. We want them to focus on the positive things that come from a good education. We decided to reinstitute our Back-to-School Essay contest and offer prizes to all the winners. Read the below press release for contest details. Feel free to distribute it to any 6th, 7th, or 8th grader who attends school on St. Thomas or St. John. Have a happy, blessed, and safe school year!

The Prizes
​One winner per grade will be selected to receive:
6th Grade PRIZE: $150
7th Grade PRIZE: $225
8th Grade PRIZE $300

#LoveCityCarFerries #LoveCity #RockCity #BacktoSchool #KidsRock Photo Courtesy of @VisualsofLife

​Employees of Love City Car Ferries, Inc are, for the most part, on board the vessel. Our employees wear blue shirts. Individuals on the dock are agents of Virgin Islands Port Authority. They are the ones who line you up as you wait for the vessels; they are also the ones in the toll booth. We can not control their process nor their procedures. Please keep this in mind as you consider whether or not we have provided good service; as we are noticing negative feedback based on their actions that has nothing to do with us.

Love City Car Ferries, Inc. offices are closed today.
But the ​M/V Capt Vic is running its regular schedule.

Governor General Peter Von Scholten issued the emancipation proclamation on July 3rd, 1848, thereby freeing all slaves in the then Danish West Indies. But let us not forget Moses “Budhoe” Gottlieb, the great Virgin Islands Liberator. Budhoe, a free slave, was the leader of a planned rebellion. He gave an ultimatum that finally ensured the freedom of his people. He and his followers were willing to sacrifice their lives for the freedom of all. For Budhoe, this would have been an ultimate sacrifice as this man was already free.

Emancipation Day is an important day to celebrate all descendants of former enslaved people and all the people who fought and are still fighting for freedom!

Read More and Photo Credits:
​cruzansyndicate.tripod.com/page5.htm