Maintenance Woes Led to Digby Ferry Grounding
Maintenance deficiencies and lack of adequate emergency procedures led to the November 7, 2013 loss of electrical power and grounding of the passenger ferry Princess of Acadia in Digby, Nova Scotia, the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) found in its report, M13M0287. The incident caused no injuries or pollution. According to TSB, Princess of Acadia was approaching the ferry terminal at Digby, Nova Scotia with 87 passengers and crew aboard. In preparation for docking, as the bow thruster was started, the main generator blacked out causing a loss of electrical power and disabling the main propeller pitch control pumps. Once the pitch control pumps stopped…
Canadian Ferries Welcome Govt. Funding
The Canadian Ferry Operators Association (CFOA) welcomed today’s announcement of $58 million over two years to support ferries in Eastern Canada. “We are happy to see the government reaffirming its commitment to Canada’s ferries. This is a step in the right direction,” said Serge Buy, CEO of CFOA. This funding will help support ferry operations and assets for three interprovincial ferries: Saint John, NB / Digby, NS (operated by Bay Ferries Ltd); Wood Islands, PEI / Caribou, NS (operated by Northumberland Ferries Ltd) and Îles-de-la-Madeleine, QC / Souris, PEI (Operated by C.T.M.A.
Bay Ferries Thrown a Lifeline
According to reports, Ottawa and the province of Nova Scotia will hand over a combined $6m to keep the vital Bay of Fundy cargo ferry service afloat. Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald announced a $2m lifeline to Bay Ferries Ltd. in order to keep the Digby-Saint John cargo service operating, reports the Halifax Chronicle Herald. That's on top of the $4 million Ottawa says it will kick-in. New Brunswick is also expected to contribute. The government money is a short-term solution to keep the ferry sailing while a long-term solution is developed, MacDonald added. In July, Bay Ferries announced skyrocketing fuel costs, a drop in tourism and forestry exports, were forcing the company to anchor its service permanently.
Bay of Fundy Ferry Service to End
Bay Ferries Ltd. announced on June 30 that the Princess of Acadia will make its final three-hour trip between Digby and Saint John, N.B., on Oct. 31.High fuel prices and declining tourist and commercial traffic were among factors in the decision, the company said in a news release. Local government officials are working together to find a way to maintain the area’s ferry service. Many officials are expected to travel to Halifax for talks with cabinet ministers and, possibly, the premier, with the hope that the Bay Ferries decision can be reversed if there is some financial help from the federal government. At the legislature, Premier Rodney MacDonald said the government is playing an active role in finding a solution, although that won’t include an operating subsidy from taxpayers.
