Nautical Ventures Group said it has purchased three commercial ferries from Exxon Mobil Energy, buying them in block for an undisclosed amount.
“Our interest in buying these vessels comes from our waiting list of potential buyers around the world looking to add high-quality ferries to their fleet or to establish new ferry routes in their jurisdiction,” Roger Moore, CEO of Nautical Ventures Group, said in a statement. “These Exxon ferries were impeccably maintained, very well built, are all in-class certified and need little modification to be turnkey for the next owners.”
Nautical Ventures said Exxon originally bought the ferries in 2013 for $6.3 million and they were used to ferry 1.6 million passengers over 3-1/2 years, primarily carrying workers assigned to build the Hubron Project — a gravity-based structure oil rig. The rig was built in Bull Arm, Trinity Bay, in Newfoundland before being towed to the offshore Hubron oil field.
Nautical Ventures said all three ferries recently completed a 2,500-mile voyage from St. Johns, Newfoundland, to Fort Lauderdale on their own bottom. It took 11 crewmembers 18 days to make the journey, stopping only twice to refuel. A nor’easter off the coast of Nova Scotia brought on 15- to 20-foot seas, and then again off Cape Hatteras.
“The trip down south really tested the mettle of these boats,” Moore said. “We knew we were acquiring well-built, well-maintained ferries, but making this 2,500-mile trek and arriving in perfect condition speaks volumes for these boats.”
The company said it has several buyers in line, including a business group looking to add ferry service between Cancun, Mexico, and Isla de Mujores.
