Ferry "Perseverance" Undergoes Essential Repairs for Isle of Youth Transport

The ferry "Perseverance", which has been vital for transportation between the Isle of Youth, Surgidero de Batabanó, and Cayo Largo del Sur, entered a phase of repair this week. "The ferry Perseverance will make its final trip on the 3rd and arrive at the CDC shipyards by the 5th, where the repairs will commence," stated a Transportation official in a release shared by Minister Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila.

Highlighting the preparation, the official emphasized, "We have secured 70% of the necessary materials for the repair, with the remaining 30% already contracted. The overhaul will involve hull cleaning, painting, reorganization, climate control, and communication systems."

Scheduled for completion by December 20, the "Perseverance" is expected to resume its crucial role in supporting this route, alongside the newly acquired ferry, V2V Empress, whose purchase and deployment were recently announced.

"The time approaches for the entity responsible for the maritime transport of passengers and rolling cargo between the Isle of Youth and Batabanó to undergo essential maintenance," Rodríguez Dávila commented in a post. "In the coming days, the ferry Perseverance will arrive at Havana Bay to begin much-needed maintenance. This audiovisual will detail the process, which we will monitor closely," he added.

Introducing the V2V Empress Catamaran

The V2V Empress, a catamaran capable of carrying 240 passengers, has been managing this maritime route since September 29. Tickets for the V2V Empress are available 15 days in advance at a price of 200 CUP, according to the Transportation Minister.

The schedule alternates travel days between Batabanó and Cayo Largo, reserving one day a week for catamaran maintenance. Additionally, the itinerary includes reviewing baggage and terminal regulations to ensure a safe and orderly service.

Moreover, it was announced that the catamaran Río Las Casas will soon become operational, although details on its launch were not provided. The Isle of Youth often faces challenges with its already fragile maritime transportation system, frequently disrupted by the suspension of the Perseverance ferry, the only heavily utilized vessel connecting the special municipality with Surgidero de Batabanó in Mayabeque.

In August 2024, officials from the Maritime-Port Business Group (Gemar) explained that the catamarans Río Júcaro and Río Las Casas, which had been in service for over 20 years, were out of operation due to severe deterioration and lack of necessary parts and materials for upkeep.

This situation has led to frustration among the special municipality's residents, who largely depend on this mode of transport and view it as progressive isolation from their territory. Maritime transportation is essential for ensuring the supply of goods and services, as well as passenger mobility.