Ferry service cancelled Friday, but Holiday Island on way home after repairs

Just as one ferry that makes the run from P.E.I. to Nova Scotia is about to return to service, mechanical difficulties on the other has put it out of commission.

That means there will be no ferry service available between Wood Islands and Caribou, N.S., on Friday, Northumberland Ferries Ltd. said in a news release Thursday night.

The service was also cancelled on Thursday as the MV Confederation underwent repairs. Northumberland Ferries said MV Confederation will be out of service "until further notice."

However, MV Holiday Island, which has been out of service all summer while undergoing repairs in Quebec, is due to arrive in Caribou on Friday.

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But it won't return to service until it undergoes final preparations, said Northumberland Ferries vice-president Donald Cormier.

"The vessel will be cleaned, food service areas prepared, and regulatory certificates updated following inspections by authorities," he said.

Update Friday on MV Confederation

Meanwhile, an update on MV Confederation will be provided on Friday, Cormier said.

"MV Confederation experienced propulsion pitch control issues and was taken out of service so we could investigate and effect required repairs," he said.

Northumberland Ferries said five round trip departures will be offered once the MV Holiday Island is back in service.

Due to lower than expected truck traffic, the night sailing is being eliminated.

Five crossings from Oct. 2-10

Northumberland Ferries released its schedule from Oct. 2-10 as follows:

• From Wood Islands at 6:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m, 1:30 p.m., 5:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
• From Caribou at 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 3:30 p.m., 7:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Once MV Holiday Island resumes service, MV Confederation will begin normal scheduled dock maintenance, Northumberland Ferries said. MV Confederation will re-enter service on Nov. 6, replacing MV Holiday Island as it normally would at that time of year.

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