Bristol Seeks Say in Prudence Island Ferry Application

The town of Bristol wants its say in an application to offer ferry services to and from Prudence Island, reports The Portsmouth Times. 

The town of Bristol filed a motion Wednesday to intervene in A&R Marine's application for ferry services, according to The Portsmouth Times. 

Currently, two companies - the Prudence Island Ferry, owned by Bruce Medley since the mid-1980s, and a new company, A&R Marine - are seeking permission to operate the only public ferry service to the island.

Current ferry passengers park along the Bristol waterfront, where the ferry is docked. Medley leases his ferry dock from the town of Bristol. 

The issue of ferry service began when Bruce Medley, who has owned and operated the Prudence Island Ferry since the mid-1980s, announced he would retire last year. 

Medley originally said the ferry service would end on Dec. 1; however, he later took back this statement. The Prudence Island Ferry Service does not plan on closing now. 

However, the retirement announcement set into motion a discussion about ferry services. 

Recently, a new company, A&R Marine, which would operate as Prudence and Bay Islands Transport, has submitted its application to the RI Public Utilities and Carriers Commission. A hearing to discuss A&R Marine's application is scheduled for Oct. 29. 

A&R Marine would operate as Prudence and Bay Islands Transport, according to its application. The company was formed by Ethan Rossi, who holds a captain’s license, and Patricia Rossi, both of Prudence Island, and Stephen Antaya and Danial Antaya, both of Richmond. 

The application was filed on Sept. 19. It seeks a certificate of public convenience and necessity.

The new company will have to prove that is “fit, willing and able to provide ferry service” and that there is a need for the ferry service. With Prudence Island Ferry already offering a service to the island A&R also must prove that the service is inadequate or would be down the road.

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