Ferry between N.S. and P.E.I. unavailable over weekend, stalled by mechanical problem

CITYnews halifax \ By The Canadian Press

CHARLOTTETOWN — The company that operates the ferry between Nova Scotia and eastern Prince Edward Island says the MV Confederation will be out of service until at least next week. 

The ferry was pulled off-line Sunday for the second time since mid-June, when it was removed from the water for two weeks because of a mechanical issue. Northumberland Ferries said Thursday in a news release that it expected the problem to be resolved over the weekend.

“The required parts are due to arrive on Saturday, and an expedited repair, followed by extensive testing will see the vessel back in service early next week,” said Mark Wilson, senior vice-president of Northumberland Ferries.

“Service remains suspended through Saturday and Sunday.”

He said a second vessel, MV Saaremaa 1, is scheduled to be in service by the middle of this month. “MV Saaremaa 1 is expected to arrive late on Monday, and the remaining crew will be trained and final preparations will be completed as quickly as possible in order to safely enter service.”

The ferry disruption coincides with the Cavendish Festival, Atlantic Canada’s largest outdoor concert, to be held this weekend in Cavendish, P.E.I.

Wilson said he understands people’s frustration.

“We deeply regret this ongoing inconvenience during this peak tourism season in Atlantic Canada,” he said. “We are making every effort to safely resume service as soon as possible.”

April Gallant, spokeswoman for P.E.I. Tourism Minister Cory Deagle, said the minister sent a letter to the federal Transportation Department in late June “urging the federal government to move swiftly in finding a solution to ferry operations as disruption to the service during peak tourism season will impact tourism operators in the region.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6, 2023.

The Canadian Press