Return of the Regla Ferry to Havana Bay

The popular Regla Ferry in Havana, which had its service suspended on May 20 after the propeller of the only operational vessel fell into the sea, resumed operations on May 25. The Minister of Transportation, Eduardo Rodríguez Dávila, announced that the ferry which resumed service this Saturday was not the IV Congreso, but La Giraldilla, which had undergone extensive repairs and was supposed to be ready by April 30, according to prior plans.

Rodríguez Dávila detailed that the IV Congreso—the ferry that lost its propeller—should be back in service by the end of this week, barring any unforeseen issues. If all goes well, it will be the first time in many months that two ferries will be available instead of just one. Additionally, Rodríguez Dávila stated, "Two new engines are en route to Cuba, which will help continue the recovery process previously announced, despite financial and organizational challenges."

The Minister shared photos of his visit to the Casa Blanca shipyard in Havana Bay, where he assessed the condition of the ferries alongside workers from the Maritime Port Business Group (GEMAR). "The information regarding this week's service interruption was not as timely as required, and not all available channels were used, which caused public frustration. As an alternative, buses were used where possible, but they do not replace the function of these ferries," admitted the official in the final part of his announcement.

In the comments section, many residents of Havana expressed joy over the return of the Regla Ferry and the new promises for improved service. However, the less optimistic questioned how long this improvement would last, given the frequent breakdowns and issues the ferry has faced.

Last week, the Provincial Transport Company of Havana issued a notice about the temporary suspension of the Regla Ferry service. The state entity detailed that the main cause was a problem with the ferry's "steering system," which led to the propeller detaching and falling into the water. Despite divers' efforts, the propeller could not be retrieved due to turbulent waters caused by recent rains, leading to the decision to replace it, a process that would take some time.

In the comments section of the publication, several internet users expressed indignation over the latest episode disrupting the Regla Ferry service, a crucial mode of transportation for some residents of the capital.

History of the Regla Ferry's Struggles

In February, Rodríguez Dávila reported that only one of the six Regla ferries was operational due to "technical problems" with the other five, and he outlined the expected evolution of the service in the coming months. At that time, the minister said that three new engines and an additional repair kit were expected by the end of March, along with other resources to expedite the repair of the stranded vessels—something that evidently has not happened.

He also stated that a second ferry was expected to be operational by the end of April, another by the second half of the year, and two more by early 2025, pending coordination with the shipyards. Additionally, he mentioned that an auxiliary vessel would be put into service, allowing for the restoration of nighttime routes, although no specific timeline was provided. The minister also noted that international collaboration was being sought for the acquisition of additional vessels.

The Regla Ferry, which connects three points in the bay: the Emboque de Regla, the Muelle de Luz, and Casablanca, resumed operations in mid-November after the reconstruction of the access ramp, which had deteriorated and forced a service interruption on September 22. With a capacity of about 100 passengers, the Regla Ferry completes its route between Regla and the Muelle de Luz in about seven minutes.

The popular maritime route, which is a relief for those needing to commute between Regla and Old Havana, was also interrupted for part of the summer of 2023 due to repairs on an "issue with the motor shaft bushing." After resuming service, it was short-lived. In September, the authorities once again announced a suspension of the ferry service to replace the old access ramp with a new one. This decision came after numerous complaints about the deteriorated state of the access bridge, which endangered the safety of passengers boarding the ferry.