The Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company apologizes for recent system disruptions

BRIDGEPORT, Conn., Nov. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Management of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson ferry system were confronted over the past weekend with the perfect storm of events which created a frustrating experience for its valued customers.

While it would be customary for the ferry service to run three boats this time of year, the company's third boat, which had been undergoing upgrades and maintenance at the GMD boat yard has not been returned to service as contracted. This vessel represents approximately 38% of the service's normal capacity.  While GMD completed the contracted work by the contract date of November 15, a US Coast Guard vessel was being worked on simultaneously in the same drydock. Unfortunately for GMD and the ferry service this meant that despite the ferry repairs being done on time to meet all seasonal traffic expectations, an open hole in the side of the Coast Guard vessel, due to its repairs, meant that the ferry could not leave the drydock.

This 38% reduction in the number of cars and passengers that could be carried at a busy time of the year then led to an enormous amount of activity on the company website, which was unable to keep up with the pace of inquiry. This website failure then led to longer than normal call waiting times at the company's call center.

The management of the Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Ferry service wishes to express "its sincere apologies for this most unfortunate confluence of events. The management and staff understand the important role that the ferry system plays in our community and have initiated major investment in upgrades and expansion. However, we understand that the immediate problem is upsetting and frustrating. It is for us as well, as we work to provide service to the cross-sound community."

Currently, the service has a handful of slots left on Wednesday and Thursday and space is available on the boats Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The latest information is now available via alerts on our homepage.

The GMD shipyard expects work on the US Coast Guard vessel to be completed by early December at which time the third ferry boat will be able to leave the drydock and returned to service.

For further information please contact:

Fred Hall, Vice President and General Manager, Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company Tel: 516 924 4070

Mike Hanson, Media Center, Tel: 845 629 0259

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SOURCE Bridgeport & Port Jefferson Steamboat Company