Nova Scotia

Princess of Acadia ferry seeks winter berthing while awaiting disposal

The federal government is looking for a safe place to store MV Princess of Acadia over the winter, while arrangements are made for its disposal.

Former Digby ferry was replaced this summer by the Fundy Rose after 44 years at sea

The Princess of Acadia is currently at a temporary berth in Dartmouth at the former Canadian Coast Guard base. (Brett Ruskin/CBC)

The federal government is looking for a safe place to store the MV Princess of Acadia over the winter, while arrangements are made for its disposal.

The government published a request for proposals Wednesday seeking a contractor to provide "care, custody and control" over the former ferry.

​The ship is currently at a temporary berth in Dartmouth at the former Canadian Coast Guard base. The successful contractor would be responsible for transporting the Princess of Acadia to a new location, providing maintenance and power over the winter, as well as 24-hour security.

Earlier this year the Fundy Rose replaced the Princess of Acadia. The new ship was purchased by the federal government for $44.6 million. It's faster but offers less cargo space for transporting trucks than the ship it replaced. 

The Princess of Acadia first went into service between Digby and Saint John, N.B., in 1971.