Does car barge run only once every hour?!?

[cajuns2stj]

Will be arriving Thursday for a 10 day trip to STJ. YIPPEE!! We arrive at 2:30 and will be renting from Amalie Car Rental in STT. I just got off the phone with villa mgmt co. and the rep told me that the car barge only leaves Red Hook every hour on the half hour. So...does that mean I will prob have to take the 4:30 barge over? If so, is it okay to leave your car at the barge (in line) and go next door for a cocktail while you wait?

[waterguy]

It depends how many of the barges are running

[cajuns2stj]

Is there any way to find out how many barges are running before we head to Red Hook? If we have time, we could make a few stops along the way, but if the 4:00 barge is running, we will head to St John right away.
BTW~This is our third trip to STJ and our first time renting a car on STT.
Also, this forum ROCKS!! I have gathered so much info in the last few weeks! I def will be "doing" St John the Forum way next week!

[Connie]

Car barges don't really run a "perfect" schedule.

[hugo]

There's a pretty good chance that the Roanoke will be running -it was a few days ago anyway-- and they leave Red Hook on the even- numbered hours, which would include 4PM. There is not really a line you can leave the car in, although the parking lot did get numbered spaces , numbers seem to be mainly ignored when it's time to board. You can usually tell if you'll be boarding soon (barge will arrive and unload and then begin boarding) and it's a very quick walk to the bar in the new ferry terminal next door...

[cajuns2stj]

Thanks for the replies. I think I will just relax and let island time settle over me and not worry about which barge I end up on (as long as I have a painkiller in my hand)!