Marine Atlantic customers warned of potential delays
NORTH SYDNEY – Ice in the Cabot Strait hasn’t impacted the ferry service between Newfoundland and North Sydney, but Marine Atlantic officials warn that could quickly change. “Speaking to our captains and the coast guard, this is the worst ice they’ve seen in decades,” said Marine Atlantic spokesman Darrell Mercer. “Weather conditions this winter has made for a difficult season.” Mercer said vessels have been impacted in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, especially off the coast of western Newfoundland, adding that Canadian Coast Guard icebreakers are having issues. There are concerns that ice currently off western Newfoundland is going to eventually make its way into the Cabot Strait. Marine Atlantic’s ferry captains monitor ice charts and the daily forecast provided by Environment Canada. “Our captains are already saying the ice is fairly persistent as they make their crossing, and in some situations have chosen an alternate route because the ice moved that much in 12 hours. “We are concerned that if the winds change, especially to a northeast direction, that will push the ice into Sydney harbour.” Sydney harbour has a history of layering, meaning that when the ice overlaps, it goes farther down in the water, creating a wall of ice. Once that happens, it is difficult for vessels to get through. “We want to give customers and passengers some advance notice that these ice conditions are in the gulf,” Mercer explained. “While these conditions aren’t impacting our schedule to any degree at this point, there is the potential.” He said all Marine Atlantic vessels are ice class and can work through significant ice.