With all the festivities surrounding the Transat ag2r from Lorient, France to Saint Barth, the news of a new catamaran service might have gotten lost in the shuffle, as the docks in Gustavia were busy with the arrival of the 33-ft Figaro Bénéteau sailboats that crossed the Atlantic with teams of two sailors per boat. But on May 14, Jerome Montoya, the director of St-Barth Tours and Travel, organized the maiden voyage of the HC Katia, a new passenger catamaran. Seventy people representing Saint Barth were welcomed aboard by Raymond Kalley, the owner of the boat. As soon as the guests were comfortably seated with a glass of champagne on each armrest, the HC Katia set out to sea: destination Chesterfield Marina at Pointe Blanche, where a new ferry terminal was recently completed. After a trip of 30 minutes, the guests from Saint-Barth were met by Dutch colleagues. Raymond Kalley’s wife christened the boat, and the guests enjoyed a welcome cocktail before the passengers from to Saint-Barth returned to their island.
The next morning, the catamaran began a series of four round-trips per day. Built in England by the VT shipyards, this boat is part hydrofoil, and is operated by Rapid Explorer, a new maritime transportation company in the Caribbean. Measuring 89-ft long, the boat is propelled by four hydro-jet turbine 1000 HP Caterpillar V12 motors. It cruises at 30 to 35 knots and can reach a maximum speed of 45 knots, meaning that one can now make the trip from the Dutch side of Saint Martin to Saint Barth in just a 30 minutes.
The fittings include 150 seats arranged in three rows of armchairs, video screens, dark blue carpeting, large tinted windows, and an upper level pilot’s cabin fitted with video cameras that show the machine rooms, making this an impressive boat. With seven crew members, two of whom are responsible for passenger security, the HC Katia meets international standards for cruise ships. For the past few months, Sea Shuttle I, a similar catamaran with a capacity of 95 passengers, has been running regularly between Saint Martin and Anguilla. Rapid Explorer plans to add two additional catamarans, the same size as the HC Katia with 150 seats each next year, to run between Antigua and Barbuda, and St. Thomas and Saint-John. This summer, these two boats will be in the South of France to ferry passengers between the Nice airport, Villefranche, Cannes, and St. Tropez.
This new rapid ferry service between Saint Martin and Saint Barth will be in service while the airport in Saint Barth is closed for repairs next September and October. Once passengers arrive at Juliana Airport in Saint Martin, they just need to take a taxi to Chesterfield Marina, where the HC Katia will be waiting to ferry them to Saint-Barth.
For more info, check our page "By ferry from St Martin"
RHONY live it up on the Island of St Barts!
Yachts, private villas, pristine beaches, barely-there bikinis and plenty of Pinot Grigio...the Real Housewives of New York (RHONY) hit St. Barts in style. Veteran housewives Ramona Singer, Sonja Morgan and Luann De Lesseps (The Countess) join new cast ...
Beyonce and Jay-Z have taken their daughter on her first vacation. The couple, who celebrated their fourth wedding anniversary last week, have been enjoying the sunshine on the Caribbean island of St. Barts with three-month-old Blue Ivy over the weekend, and took the tot for a day trip on a yacht.
...
Kick-off Les Voiles de Saint Barth 2012 Caribbean regatta in the magical French West Indies sailing paradise!
Today the prestigious and top-class Caribbean sailing regatta Les Voiles de St. Barth 2012 with Gaastra Sportswear as the official partner starts: At the third edition run...
Inside the Bucket.
This video features the 2012 St Barths Bucket Regatta and music by the Evan Goodrow Band. Special thanks to the entire crew of the Rebecca, Baz Bar, St Barths Online and the guys from the Evan Goodrow Band for putting on a fantastic show. The song from the Evan Goodrow Band is c...
On board with Rebecca.
The best event in St Barths took place on March 24 - 27, 2012. This video features the beautiful 141 ft sailing yacht, The Rebecca.
produced by Real Media Travel for St. Barths Online and Baz Bar St Barth.
The age old saying of "I need a holiday to get over my holiday" actually seems applicable if you happen to be Paul McCartney.
The Beatle took wife Nancy Shevell on a romantic break to the Caribbean island of St Barts, just days after the pair visited Paris.
Last week, the lovebirds showed support ...
On the day their pregnancy news was announced, Thor star Chris Hemsworth, 28, and Elsa Pataky, 35, were seen in sunny St. Barts, France on Wednesday (January 18). The Fast Five actress looked lovely in blue, sporting her beautiful baby bump.
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky
Chris and Elsa - w...
She might be 44, but Tamara Mellon still boasts a figure that women half her age would be proud of.
The Jimmy Choo co-founder showed off her toned figure in a sexy animal-print bikini as she hit the beach with her daughter in St Barts yesterday.
The skimpy string two-piece highlighted Tamara's env...
With almost every other celebrity couple enjoying the New Year in exotic locations, Gary and Danielle Lineker weren't going to be any different.
The married couple were spotted enjoying a romantic walk along a beach in St Barts today - and looked very much in love.
Gary, 51 and his wife, 32, had o...
Which beaches to choose?
The glamorous island of St Barts is one of the Caribbean's top beach destinations. Ringing the island are immaculate strips of sand and ethereal turquoise waters. The shallow reefs that encircle the island help to protect these renowned beaches, and they also provide excell...
St. Barts, Why Not?
Since the wealthy and celebrated frequently visit St. Barts for a tropical vacation, you will find that many plush St. Barts Resorts can be found on this stunning island. For those taking St. Barts holidays, it is simple to find hotels with each luxury available. Frequently thes...
Vacation With the Rich and Famous at St. Barts.
Want to bump into celebrities and be seen hanging out where the rich and famous play? Then the Caribbean island of St. Barts is the place to be.
While warm sand and blue waters do make an ideal vacation location, this destination has that and a whol...
Where to go for one day in Caribbean?
St. Maarten / St. Martin
The half-Dutch, half-French island of St. Maarten/St. Martin, with its many restaurants and hotels, makes a great base for an island-hopping adventure. Graced by the nickname Unspoiled Queen, tiny little Saba is not the kind of Caribbe...
Villa La Plage in St Barts.
The posh French resort isle of St. Barth's was already a prize destination when Roman Abramovich purchased an estate there for $89 million in 2009; since the oligarch arrived it has become even more so.
Now Christie's International Real Estate has listed another impres...
Baywatch in St Barts.
Making it official after five years of engagement, Brooke Burke and beau David Charvet have reportedly tied the knot while yachting in St. Barts.
According to Life & Style, the "Dancing with the Stars" host and the former "Baywatch" hunk, who have been vacationing in the...
St. Barth Summer Sessions Aug. 5-15, 2011
St Barth Summer Sessions 2011 this year will have a focus on artists from Brazil. The festival will take place at a variety of different venues all over the island, and in the end of the festival there will be a big common concert in the Harbor of Gustavia ...
The Eclipse, no ordinary yacht.
It probably hasn't escaped your attention that, with modern methods of transport, measuring and telecommunication, no "terra incognita" is safe from the crazed enthusiasm of certain explorers of scientists. Everything has already been discovered and minutely placed o...
Ashley Rodriguez Trio
Ashley Rodriguez, one of the famous finalist from the American Idol 2010 is back in St Barth between May 5-15. Ashley was participating last summer for the St Barth Summer Session in august 2010 at La Plage and she will now come with her 'All Girls Band', Liz on the guitar ...
The La Plage restaurant introduce :
ST BARTH SUMMER SESSIONS
« 5 to 15 august 2010, 10 days of crazy music ! »
Festival program
La Plage St Jean Tel: 0590 52 81 33 Email: tombeach@wanadoo.fr Site: www.stbarthsummersessions.com
