High winds cancel some P.E.I. ferry crossings

Ferry service will have just 4 return crossings Thursday

Kevin Yarr · CBC News

Northumberland Ferries is shutting down the operations of one of its two ferries Thursday due to high winds on its run between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.

MV Saaremaa, a temporary replacement ferry, is less suited to the sometimes rough conditions on the Northumberland Strait than the MV Confederation, which will complete its runs as normal.

As a consequence, there will be just four return crossings between Wood Islands and Caribou.

Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning for the Northumberland Strait. In the eastern half, winds are expected to blow at about 50 km/h throughout the day.

The Saaremaa was brought into service on the strait to replace the MV Holiday Island, which caught fire during a run in 2022. The ferry was beyond repair, and had to be scrapped.

The permanent replacement for the Holiday Island is not expected to be ready before 2028.