Our History
Connecting The Bahamas since 1999 — with modern vessels, trusted service, and a legacy that sails deep into our islands’ history.
Revolutionizing inter-island transportation in The Bahamas.
Since its inception in 1999, Bahamas Ferries has revolutionized inter-island transportation in The Bahamas with its state-of-the-art vessels that connect the major Family Islands of Abaco, Andros, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama and Long Island.
Today, we continue to positively impact our Family Islands by providing essential life services that support island economies and encourage economic growth.
From Humble Beginnings
1 → 7
Vessels
From one, to many.
2 → 9
Ports
Connecting the Family Islands end to end.
30 → 100+
Employees
A highly trained crew delivering excellence daily.
Modern, reliable marine transportation.
It is our firm belief that the sustainable development and prosperity of the Family Islands can be achieved through modern reliable marine transportation.
We are committed to this belief, and have made significant investment in our medium-speed vessels, infrastructure, and highly trained and experienced crew — who provide consistent excellent service to our valuable customers.
Bahamas Ferries has transformed into a multi-dimensional company providing freight, logistics and passenger services, all backed by our strong customer service team.
The Bo Hengy
Our flagship vessel honors a giant of a man — community leader, master craftsman, seaman, and boat builder whose influence still shapes The Bahamas today.
A giant of a man.
Upon his birth on 15 May 1856, his parents, Frederick and Matilda Sawyer, named him Henry; but his fellow Brilanders rarely called him Henry. They called him ‘Bo Hengy’ instead, which was how they pronounced Brother Henry. It became his nickname ever since.
Bo Hengy was a giant of a man, although in physical stature, he stood less than 5 feet 6 inches tall. During his lifetime, he impacted his community of Dunmore Town, Harbour Island in ways that are felt even today.
Community leader. Seaman. Builder. Believer.
The Seaman
Familiar with every nook, cranny, reef and rock throughout The Bahamas. Could traverse the treacherous Devil’s Backbone Reef virtually blindfolded.
The Boat Builder
Built countless smack boats and freight boats like the ‘Lola B’, plus the ‘Dorothy S’ — a 35 ft. wooden yacht, one of the first of its kind built in The Bahamas.
The Farmer
Actively ploughed his vibrant farm in North Eleuthera, growing watermelon, pineapple, oranges, grapefruit, lettuce, tomatoes and cabbages.
The Believer
One of the early pioneers to spread the Seventh-day Adventist faith in Harbour Island and North Eleuthera. A man of unshakable integrity.
The pioneer of the wire fish pot.
Bo Hengy’s gift as a craftsman was legendary. Using a strong pair of pliers, 13-gauge wire for the body, and 11-gauge wire to strengthen the frame, he fashioned fish pots that were coveted by fishermen throughout The Bahamas.
The design was genius: fish found it very easy to enter to eat the bait — but very difficult to leave.
He passed on this skill to his sons, Mervin and Henry; and it still lives on today through his grandson, Oscar, and others who they taught.
His faith in God was unshakable, immutable and as timeless as light.
Of all the areas of endeavor in which he engaged himself, his witness for God was the one from which he derived the most pleasure.
The quintessential Harbour Island statesman.
On any given day, he could be found down on Bay Street waterfront squatting in a small circle, whittling wood and sharing fellowship with the other leading men of the community.
Bo Hengy could be easily identified from among the group by his booming voice and by the stark contrast of his freshly pressed white suit against his charcoal black complexion.
Both the legend and the man peacefully coexisted. He exuded a friendly, proud and humble demeanor in the face of his many accomplishments.
Carrying on the line.
He and his wife, Eva, produced six children: Erskine (1883), Mervin (1888), Violet (1890), Oscar (1892), Lola (1896) and Henry II (1898). Today, descendants down to the sixth generation continue contributing fully to the growth and development of Harbour Island and The Bahamas.
The Legend Sails On.
In naming this vessel in his honour, Bahamas Ferries ensures that the legend of Bo Hengy lives on — forever interwoven into the fabric of The Bahamas’ historical and cultural experience.