On February 2, 2019, the Virgin Islands Daily News ran the article "Should Car Ferries Be Regulated?". We were curious as to what our customers thought. So, we conducted an unofficial FaceBook poll asking, "Should there be additional regulations by the VI Government for the car ferry industry?". This question gave us the opportunity to see what our most engaged customers thought about this issue. 74% said no additional regulation while only 24% said yes. 

Car ferries in the Virgin Islands have a responsibility to answer to various local and federal government agencies, such as: The United States Coast Guard, Army Corp of Engineers, Virgin Islands Port Authority, Department of Transportation, NOAA, United States Department of Commerce, OSHA, etc. Responding to and complying with the requirements of these various agencies takes time, attention, and dedication. Each of them do what is necessary to ensure that we are safe and compliant with the law. Adding another agency would not improve our efficiency, effectiveness or responsiveness to customer issues. It would in fact have an adverse effect. We are hoping we can continue our service with no additional regulations.

We get a lot of questions about the checking in process and what you need to do once you make a reservation. Just like you need to check in when you are catching a flight, it is also necessary to check in once you reach the vessel. If you don't, then there is no way of us knowing that you are there.

​ Follow these five simple steps:

1. Arrive to the dock before your reserved departure time;
2. If you are on St. Thomas, pay the government’s toll at the booth to the Virgin Islands Port Authority (VIPA;)
3. Follow the directives of the VIPA agents on the dock who will show you where to park your vehicle and/or they may also direct you to wait in a particular line;
4. If you had to park and it doesn’t look like you will get on, let someone on the vessel know that you have a reservation; this may require you exiting your vehicle; the Captain is usually by the gate of the vessel;
5. Keep in mind that even if you have informed the toll clerk and the other VIPA agents helping you to park, the ferry company still does not know you have arrived until you specifically speak to us.

Just like the airport has TSA and other non airline employees, so too does the dock have government agents who assist with your traveling. However, it is imperative that you let us know directly that you have arrived. In so doing, your reserved spot will not be given away.

     Even if you are not an avid news watcher, I am sure most of us are aware that the Federal government is shut down. What we may not have known is that furloughed federal workers missed their first pay check on January 11, 2019. Who knows how many more paychecks they are going to miss before the government re-opens.
     For those federal employees who are residents of St. John, we feel compelled to lend a helping hand. St. Johnians know that Pillsbury Sound is our literal umbilical chord, bringing sustenance, nourishment and even medical attention via those precious seas. As a result, we are offering furloughed federal employees who live on St John, one free car ferry ride per month until the government re-opens.
     Come to our offices for your free ticket. Be sure to present your IDs evidencing that you are a federal worker and a resident of St. John. We look forward to seeing you and we are happy that we can be of service. More importantly, let us all pray that Congress and the President will soon come to an understanding that will allow our government to be re-opened.
​#nationalnews

It's been a while, but we are finally able to announce the Back to School Essay Contest Winners of the 2018-2019 academic year. They are as follows:

• Kayln George, 8th Grade, $300.00
• Kinze Brown, 7th Grade,  $225
• Princess Brown, 6th Grade, $150

We thank all the children who took the time to submit their essays. You are all winners in our eyes. Special congratulations to Ms. Gomez of All Saints Cathedral School in St. Thomas whose students submitted the most essays. All Saints will receive a monetary donation of $1,000 to be used by Ms. Gomez's classroom. Winners, please call our offices at 340-779-4000 so that we can receive instruction regarding the address where the monetary prize is to be sent or you can email your instructions to info@lovecitycarferries.com.

We look forward to next year's competition.

As you move into the New Year, I trust that all things will work out for your good. Have a happy and healthy New Year! 

​The office will be closed New Year's Day. However, the vessel will operate its holiday schedule.

Our name, Love City Car Ferries, Inc, can be a bit confusing because it leads customers to believe that we operate ALL car ferries in the Virgin Islands. We do not. Instead, our vessels have the Vic brand, in honor of the late Captain Victor W. Sewer. So, if you don't see Vic on the vessel, then it does not belong to Love City Car Ferries, Inc and you have actually boarded another company's vessel. Hope this helps.

​#lovecitycarferries #captvic #islandvic #grandvic

As you trim your Christmas tree and get ready for the holidays including New Years Day, we at Love City Car Ferries, Inc. just wanted to give you a friendly reminder of our schedule. On holidays we eliminate the first trip from each island. So we begin our day at 8:00 AM from St. John and 9:00 AM from St. Thomas. Below is the holiday schedule. Feel free to call us if you have any questions or concerns. Share the schedule with your friends and loved ones. Enjoy the best of your holiday preparation. Personally, I enjoy the food and family most of all. Be blessed:)

#LoveCityCarFerries #schedule #holidayschedule

The winners of the 2018 Back to School Essay Contest have been selected for some time now. Unfortunately, we have been unable to publicly announce them because we are still awaiting parental consent releases. This request has been emailed several times. If the winners do not submit their forms by the final deadline of Friday, December 21, 2018 then they will forfeit their prize to a winner in another category.

We look forward to hearing from all of the winners. Below is the parental consent form. If you have received an email declaring you as the winner, please complete this form and return it to info@lovecitycarferries.com.

Special congratulations to Ms. Gomez at All Saints Cathedral School in St. Thomas whose students submitted the most essays. All Saints will also receive a prize for this feat.
​
#BacktoSchoolEssay #LoveCityCarFerries 

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.