Yarmouth to Maine ferry operator has yet to select vessel

The company the province chose to run the Yarmouth to Maine ferry still doesn't have a ship to provide the service, but the transportation minister says he isn't worried.

"It isn't about finding a vessel, it's about finding one that fits the model," said Geoff MacLellan.

Bay Ferries is supposed to take over the route from Nova Star Cruises, which ran up huge losses in the two years it ran the service between Yarmouth and Portland, Maine.

The company received $39.5 million in subsidies from Nova Scotia taxpayers during that time. The ship had about 110,000 passengers, short of its two-year goal of 180,000.

One of the problems Nova Star Cruises faced was a delay in marketing the service and taking reservations, but MacLellan isn't worried those problems will carry over to Bay Ferries.

He said he's received personal assurance from company head Mark MacDonald.

Amount of provincial financial support up in air

"Without question, the operational model, the business side, the marketing requires that vessel be secured," said MacLellan. "But he's confident and we're confident in him.

"Bay Ferries is going to make this work. They're up for the challenge and they want this Yarmouth to Portland run to be part of their complement. I'm confident because Mark is, and the minute that changes he would let me know, but I don't think that's the case."

The province and the company still have to agree on the amount taxpayers will provide in the way of a subsidy to run the service this summer.

Last year, Nova Star received $13 million from the province.