The pleasure boat 'Bay One Cruise' will start its journey from Chittagong to St. Martin next Thursday. Private Karnafuli Ship Builders Limited has announced the official launch of the pleasure boat on this waterway for the first time. MA Rashid, managing director of Karnafuli Ship Builders Limited, made the announcement at an exchange of views with reporters on the Bay One Cruise on Monday. The ship was then anchored at the water bus terminal at Patenga on the Karnafuli river.
The Bay One Cruise will leave Patenga Water Bus Terminal for St. Martin three days a week. Passengers arriving from different parts of the country will be able to disembark from the airport and board the ship from the water bus terminal at Patenga, a short distance away. Similarly, you can come to Patenga in Chittagong by ship from St. Martin and return by plane again.
MA Rashid, managing director of Karnafuli Ship Builders Limited, said the minimum fare to and from St. Martin has been fixed at Tk 2,000. The rent of a luxury cabin with modern facilities is Rs. 50,000. However, most rooms have between three and four thousand rupees. This ship has various facilities including breakfast. In addition to overnight stays on the ship, there are also opportunities for sea recreation.
The ship is 450 feet long and 55 feet wide. It is capable of traveling at a speed of 24 nautical miles per hour. It has President Suite, Bunker Bed Cabin, Two in Bed Cabin, Comfortable Chairs and various categories of seats. There is also an elite restaurant, automatic vending machines and coin operated showers. The ship will be operated by 16 sailors. Apart from this, 150 more people will be in the service of passengers.
Speaking on the occasion, MA Rashid said the daily operating cost of the ship is Tk 18 to 20 lakh. The ship will run on this waterway if passengers are found as expected.
The old ship was brought to Chittagong from Japan last September. The ship was given a luxurious look by repairing accessories. Experimentally, it was once operated on the Chittagong-St. Martin waterway. The ship will be anchored about five kilometers from St. Martin's Island. The passengers will then be taken to St. Martin in a small ship waiting there.