Technical issue with ferry causes schedule changes

The MV Confederation is expected to be back in service today after a mechanical issue with the propulsion controls forced Northumberland Ferries Limited to pull it from the run between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., on Monday.

Parts to repair the ship were expected to arrive and be installed Monday evening. That will allow the ship, which is the flagship vessel of the ferry service, to be returned to the regular schedule. As of Monday evening, the website was not indicating any disruption to today’s planned schedule of crossings; however, those travelling are encouraged to monitor www.ferries.ca for updates or call ahead to 1-877-762-7245.

The disruption meant that Northumberland Ferries Ltd. had to modify its crossing schedule to five departures from each port using the MV Holiday Island.

It also meant a backlog of traffic, especially because it was the day after the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. The 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. sailings Monday from Wood Islands were full.

“We will only be able to accommodate customers holding confirmed reservations for those sailings,” said vicepresident and general manager Donald Cormier at the time.

Limited capacity was available on other sailings of the MV Holiday Island. Northumberland Ferries will advise the travelling public when the service resumes as normal.

This is the second time in two seasons that Northumberland Ferries has found itself with only one vessel operating during the busiest time of the year. The MV Holiday Island was out of service for much of 2016, including the summer months, before it returned at the end of September.