Yarmouth businesses react to the Cat coming back
'There's absolutely no doubt about it, the benefits, the spinoffs,' says B&B owner
The owner of a boutique B&B just outside of Yarmouth says he's been sitting on a pile of resumes, waiting to hear what happens with the ferry to Maine.
Thursday's news of a deal to secure a new ferry for this season means Churchill Mansion Inn is now looking to hire help for the season.
"[The ferry] is huge," said Paul Jespersen. "There's absolutely no doubt about it, the benefits, the spinoffs."
Bay Ferries is chartering the ferry from the U.S. navy, and will name it the Cat, the same moniker for the previous ferry it ran to Maine that stopped operating in 2009.
After upgrades, the new ship is expected to start service around June 15.
There will be morning departures from Yarmouth and mid-afternoon departures from Portland. The company said this will create demand for overnight accommodations in southwest Nova Scotia.
"This is excellent news absolutely," Jespersen said.
Bay Ferries Ltd. replaces Nova Star Cruises as the operator of the route. The new schedule is an improvement on the old, which had passengers staying overnight in Portland, Jespersen said. That was a major concern he heard from other innkeepers in Yarmouth.
A full café
The Shanty Café in Yarmouth is also pleased about today's news, as the ferry services means more traffic coming through the doors.
"A lot of them are surprised to find a Cuban café in the middle of downtown Yarmouth," said marketing manager Michael Carbonell.
The café offers jobs to people with barriers to employment, including disabilities and language skills.
Carbonell says visitors off the ferry appreciate the work done by the social enterprise.
"They like it. They enjoy it. They recognize it," Carbonell said. "They leave us always good comment on Tripadvisor."
Trucking no-go
The new Cat will not be taking transport trucks because the City of Portland doesn't want more on the roads.
The president of the trucking company Chebogue Fisheries Ltd. in Yarmouth says that's a disappointment.
"I just was astounded when they said they didn't want [commerical trucks]," said Neil LeBlanc.
Over the last two years the company sent a truck carrying lobster and fish each day by ferry to Maine. Now, they'll have to go by Saint John, N.B.
He said it will have an impact on the company's bottom line.
"If Portland wants to pay the bills [for the ferry], then maybe Portland should have some input on whether they want trucks on the streets or not," said LeBlanc.
He said there are trucks there every single day, and his trucks go there two or three times a week.
Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood said she's thrilled the ferry has been announcement and is pleased with the new sailing times.
Mood said she understands some are disappointed the vessel won't take trucks, but notes the last Cat didn't either.
"I hate to say it like this because you know I get crucified when I say the wrong thing, but we can't have it all," she said.