Ferry troubles
Return of MV Holiday Island announced on same day MV Confederation is taken out of service for electrical repairs
The MV Holiday Island’s return to service this weekend may not be as celebratory of an occasion as many hoped.
The announcement of the ship’s return Thursday night came on a day that saw all ferry crossings cancelled due to electrical issues with Northumberland Ferries Ltd.’s remaining boat.
The MV Confederation, which has been the sole ferry used while the other boat was dry-docked in Quebec for unexpected repairs all summer, will now be out of service until further notice.
Donald Cormier, vicepresident of operations and safety management, said all of today’s crossings have been cancelled and that reserved customers have been notified through email and phone calls.
Cormier said the ship was experiencing propulsion pitch control issues and was taken out of service to investigate the repairs needed.
“An update on the status of the MV Confederation will be provided tomorrow,” Cormier said Thursday.
The electrical issues have been the latest in a series of complications that have plagued the ferry service this summer.
The province’s Standing Committee on Education and Economic Development heard from a number of Kings County residents and business owners last week on how they were negatively affected by having a one-ferry service.
Scott Annear, general manager of Morley Annear Ltd. trucking company, said Thursday’s incident provided one more reason why the ferry service must be improved for the future.
“You can’t do this service with one ship and they’re barely providing a good service with two ships,” said Annear.
He called on the federal government to bring all parties together and begin discussing how to revamp the service.
“We can’t do anything about the other ferry being broke down now but we have to do our best to lobby government so we don’t get into this situation again,” said Annear.
“I want that ferry to stay running, but when there’s one vessel and it breaks down, it’s no good to anybody.”
In wake of Thursday’s cancelled crossings, the standing committee sent out another call to hear from individuals, businesses and organizations affected by the reduced service during the summer.
The MV Holiday Island is expected to arrive in Caribou, N.S., today and undergo final preparations before re-entering service, said Cormier.
“The vessel will be cleaned, food service areas prepared and regulatory certificated updated following inspections by authorities,” said Cormier.
The Holiday Island will provide five round-trip departures everyday once service resumes, while night trips will be eliminated.
It appears the crossings will begin on Sunday with a daily schedule released by the company showing departure times for that day until Monday, Oct. 10.
Once the MV Holiday Island begins making crossings, the MV Confederation will begin what the company said was normal fall-scheduled dock maintenance activities.
On Nov. 6, it will replace the MV Holiday Island as the sole ferry which is normal for the time of year.
Cormier said the company was pleased to soon be resuming normal service levels and grateful for customers who travelled with the ferry this summer.
“And deeply regret any inconvenience these service disruptions caused,” said Cormier. “We also thank our employees for their continued dedication to quality service despite this challenging season.”