Bermuda Sold Retired Ferries to Private Firm
The Department of Marine and Ports sold two vessels to FastCats Ferry Charters in July 2026.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Cruises
On July 24, 2026, the Department of Marine and Ports finalized the sale of two Bermuda ferries to FastCats Ferry Charters LLC for $312,500 each. The vessels, Warbaby Fox and JL Cecil Smith, arrived in the US Virgin Islands by September 2026.
Why it matters
The sale follows a pattern of fleet turnover by Bermuda authorities, with these vessels arriving in the US Virgin Islands after being sold in as-is condition.
The 37.8-metre ferries were built in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and served in Bermuda since 2006 and 2007. They were later sold by the private purchaser, FastCats Ferry Charters, to Road Town Fast Ferry for $1 each.
The players
FastCats Ferry Charters LLC
This is the private firm that purchased and subsequently resold multiple Bermuda ferries.
Department of Marine and Ports
This is the Bermuda government agency responsible for managing the islands ferry fleet and its decommissioning.
Road Town Fast Ferry
This is the entity that acquired the two vessels from the private charter company for one dollar each.
The details
The ferries were sold in as-is condition and transported to the US Virgin Islands. This transaction follows the 2024 purchase of two other Bermuda vessels, Venturilla and Tempest, by the same firm.
Timeline
The Warbaby Fox entered service in 2006.
The JL Cecil Smith entered service in 2007.
The bills of sale for Venturilla and Tempest were signed on September 5, 2024.
The sale of Warbaby Fox and JL Cecil Smith was signed on July 24, 2026.
The ferries arrived in the US Virgin Islands in September 2026.
Roadmap
This transaction reflects a broader trend of regional ferry fleet turnover as aging vessels are decommissioned from government service. These sales demonstrate how private operators often repurpose legacy government assets for specialized transport roles in secondary markets.
Travelers in the US Virgin Islands should be aware that the introduction of these vessels may coincide with future changes to regional ferry route capacity or service frequency. Passengers should check with local operators for updated vessel schedules and transit availability.
The takeaway
Secondary markets for maritime vessels often depend on government decommissioning cycles to refresh private fleets. Keeping an eye on public agency asset auctions can provide insight into upcoming shifts in local transit operations.
Further reading
For more information on maritime transport and regional vessel management, visit the Cruises section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Royal Gazette.
