P.E.I. - Nova Scotia ferry season opening postponed by ice
Ice has also led to a late start for the lobster season
Ice in some harbours, as well as the Northumberland Strait, means ferries will not be sailing between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island this Friday as scheduled.
The service is now delayed until at least May 4.
Navigational buoys have to be placed in the channel approaching Wood Islands, P.E.I's ferry landing, and Caribou, the harbour in N.S.
Vice-president of operations and safety management, Don Cormier, says the company has been asking the Coast Guard when the buoys will be in place.
"We've been in constant contact with the authorities on that and, really, it's in Mother Nature's hands. They can't put them in place until the ice is gone," said Cormier.
The Coast Guard said buoy contractors are waiting for conditions to improve so they can place the buoys in the channels.
The contractor in Caribou has been unable to launch his own boat due to the ice conditions.
Bringing in an ice breaker would not help the ferry service because the ferries are not built to sail in icy conditions, Cormier said.
The ice conditions will be reassessed on Monday. Cormier said he doesn't know how much business will be lost as a result of the delay.
Lobster fishermen are also waiting for news on when their season will start.