Cape Town is a city steeped in maritime history, much of which has been carefully preserved at the V&A Waterfront. One romantic seafaring tradition many Capetonians still fondly remember was recently reintroduced with the re-launch of the old Penny Ferry rowing boat. For over a century, the Penny Ferry service carried Capetonians across the channel at the entrance to the Alfred Basin, but was decommissioned in December 1997 with the opening of the pedestrian Swing Bridge. The channel or “Cut”, originally excavated to allow ships to cross into the Alfred Basin in the 1800s, frequently presented a problem for residents in getting to and from the Pierhead and Clock Tower Square. The most economical solution was to introduce a small ferry boat, rowed by one strong man for the cost of one penny per trip. From this tradition, the Penny Ferry was born, and a series of dedicated ferrymen propelled the ferry across the waterway for more than a century. Waterfront visitors will now be able to experience this uniquely Capetonian tradition for R5 per person per trip, with tickets available to purchase from the Info Kiosk in the Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre.
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