Technical problems cancel some ferry crossings between P.E.I. and N.S.

MV Holiday Island will make five departures from each port while MV Confederation out of service

Image | MV Confederation Ferry

Caption: The MV Confederation is out of service while work is being carried out on its propulsion system. (Julia Cook/CBC)

There will be fewer ferry crossings between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., until further notice as technical problems have put the MV Confederation out of service.
Northumberland Ferries Ltd. says there is a problem with the vessel's propulsion system controls. Until further notice, the ferry MV Holiday Island will run five departures from each port in Nova Scotia and P.E.I.
With the Cavendish Beach Music Festival wrapping up on Sunday, the company expects ferry service on Monday to be busy.

Some reservations affected

Customers with reservations will be contacted about moving their reservations around because of the increased traffic, but all of them should be able to travel on Monday.
"The vast majority of them will be inconvenienced by about 90 minutes," said Donald Cormier, vice president of operations and general manager.
Cormier said the mechanical issue was discovered around 1 p.m. on Saturday. He said the ferry needs a new electrical control motor for one of its propeller systems.
"It's not a common problem, not one that we would have anticipated," he said.

Repair shouldn't take long

Cormier said they're ordered a new part from its European manufacturer. At the earliest, it could arrive in Halifax on Monday late in the day.
Once the part arrives, he said it only takes about 30 minutes to one hour to install. If all goes well, the ferry could be back in service in a couple of days, he said on Sunday.
Northumberland Ferries has released an updated list of departure times for the Holiday Island.
Leaving Caribou, N.S.:
  • 8:00 a.m.
  • 11:15 a.m.
  • 2:45 p.m.
  • 6:00 p.m.
  • 9:00 p.m.
Leaving Wood Islands P.EI.:
  • 6:30 a.m.
  • 9:30 a.m.
  • 1:00 p.m.
  • 4:30 p.m.
  • 7:30 p.m
The company said all other previously scheduled departures for July 9 have been cancelled. Customers with reservations on cancelled sailings will be contacted and will be able to cross on the next available sailing.
If an alternate arrangements cannot be made for customers, their reservations will be fully refunded.