Hundreds of passengers bound for Dominica’s Independence celebrations have been left stranded in Antigua and other neighboring islands after the FRS Express des Îles ferry service failed to resume operations on Sunday as planned.

The company had initially announced the cancellation of its scheduled services for Friday, October 17, and Saturday, October 18, citing unfavorable sea conditions that made docking in Dominica unsafe due to the island’s rugged coastline and topographical challenges.

At the time, FRS assured travelers that sailings would resume on Sunday, October 19, “sea conditions permitting.”

However, those plans were derailed after the vessel reportedly developed engine problems, forcing the cancellation of Sunday’s service and leaving hundreds of travelers stranded—many of them en route to Dominica for the annual Independence season.

In response, Antigua’s ferry agents and the Ministry of Tourism in Dominica have been working urgently with LIAT Air. to arrange charter flights to accommodate affected passengers.

According to a notice circulated to travelers, a charter flight to Dominica has been scheduled for 4:00 p.m. today at a cost of US$196 per person. Bookings are being processed on a first-come, first-served basis through an online link, and travelers have been urged to ensure they have all necessary documents ready before arriving at the airport.

The disruption has caused widespread frustration among passengers, many of whom had planned their trips months in advance to take part in Dominica’s Independence festivities.

Officials say efforts are ongoing to assist those still stranded as ferry operators work to resolve the vessel’s mechanical issues and resume regular service as soon as possible.