Bring back the Port Royal ferry - Residents of historic town want boat service to return

District Constable Troy Lewis' eyes gleamed as he recalled the first time he set foot on the ferry that used to operate between downtown Kingston and Port Royal.

His school, Norman Gardens All-Age, hosted a trip to the historic city. It was not only his first time on the ferry, but his maiden voyage on a boat of any kind. He excitedly shared how his then 14-year-old self was ecstatic to board the boat, and how he was fully immersed in the 30-minute journey across the Kingston Harbour.

"It was a good ride. It was enjoyable because you know as a child, riding on a boat, you get to see things that you wouldn't normally see when you're on the land. You know the excitement when you hear you going to Port Royal, worse on the ferry. I was looking forward to it," Lewis recalled, the joy evident in his voice.

Not rattled by nerves or becoming sea sick, when the group finally arrived in Port Royal, Lewis related that the coastal town had exceeded his expectations.

"The scenery looked exactly liked what you heard that pirates lived her. It was what I had in mind," he said.

As THE STAR spoke with persons in Port Royal about the ferry, the nostalgia was evident on residents' faces, as they relived the moments when the ferry cruised into their community. They said it was a sweeter time too, especially on Sundays, when large crowds converged on the jetty seeking to explore the remnants of the famed 'Sunken City.'

"Of course I miss the ferry! It was very convenient for the community, other than the bus or taxi. Pon a weekend now, people nuff up over here. It was a good thing trust me," Rupert Ramsay, 70, shared with the news team. Like Ramsay, Faith McKen marvelled at the ferry and expressed joy at the opportunity it gave her to improve her swimming and diving capabilities.

"The ferry was enjoyable. Me used to jump off the ferry and swim come back to land. I grew up in Port Royal and honestly, everybody love it. My best memory was to jump off and swim come back to land. I love doing dat with me and my friend dem. I enjoy going on the ferry because there was no cluster, you just siddung and enjoy the ride," McKen told THE STAR.

In a unified chorus, Lewis, Ramsay and McKen said that they long for the revival of the downtown to Port Royal ferry ride, not only as means of transportation but to be a recreational activity for citizens.