Liner sets off Thursday pioneering Ctg-Saint Martin’s route

Ushering in a new era for tourism transport, Bay One is all set to cast off on Thursday pioneering the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar-Saint Martin's island route.

With return ticket prices ranging from Tk 3,000 to Tk 50,000, the 450 feet long and 55 feet wide ship offers 2,000 cabin accommodations, including presidential suites, bunk beds and twin bed cabins alongside economy chairs.

According to its weekly schedule, the vessel will leave the Patenga water bus terminal at 11:00pm every Thursday, Friday and Saturday to reach the coral isle at 7:00am.

It will set off from the island at 1:00pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday to reach Chattogram's Patenga at 8:00pm. The ship has a top speed of 24 nautical miles or 44 kilometres per hour.

Officials say 17 mariners would sail the ship while a roughly 150-member crew would be engaged in catering services to passengers.

Apart from Karnafuly Ship Builders, there are several local companies ferrying people to Saint Martin's island but only from Cox's Bazar, from where one trip is run daily, and Teknaf, from where three trips are run a day.

Bay One was taken on a 10-year lease from a Singapore-based company in September last year by Karnafuly Ship Builders at a cost of Tk 105 crore.

Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in 1992 according to websites on marine traffic, it previously bore the name MV Salvia Maru and ferried people between Tokyo and Tokyo Islands.

The trip will be safe, save time and play a great role in expanding the country's tourism industry, said Karnaphuli Ship Builders Managing Director MA Rashid at a press briefing aboard the ship yesterday.

"The Patengya water bus terminal from Chattogram Shah Amanat International Airport is within walking distance. So tourists can easily visit Saint Martin's island without facing the hassles of roads," he said.

Trips will be increased based on customer response, he said.