the Digby to Saint John ferry Fundy Rose has spent the winter at pier 9 undergoing a work period. She arrived in Halifax in December 2014 from Greece, and was put into service in the summer of 2015 replacing the Princess of Acadia.
Bay Ferries operates the former CN Ferry routes between Digby / Saint John NB, and Caribou/wood Islands PEI (as Northumberland Ferries) as well as the revived Yarmouth Ferry.
Fundy Rose is scheduled to return to service April 10th.
the New Halifax Transit Ferry Vincent Coleman undergoing sea trials earlier today.
Dartmouth III Tied up in Toronto. Photo from Carl Burkett
The Dartmouth III is on her way to Toronto and as of today has tied up in Gaspe Quebec.
Photos from the Shipspotting in Canada Facebook group
Natural Resources has a site that explores some of the features of Halifax Harbour. One of those features is the wreck of the Ferry Governor Cornwallis.
The ferry was built by Dartmouth shipbuilder Hugh D. Weagle for $93,551 and opened to the public December 6, 1942. It was the first Diesel Powered ferry used in Halifax Harbour. The ships log book showed many mechanical problems, and on December 22, 1944 a fire was discovered in the ceiling of the engine room. passengers were let off in Dartmouth, and the ferry was towed and beached on Georges island to Burn. She sunk, and slid into deep water. It was concluded that the fire was caused by poor installation of the heating furnace’s smoke pipe.
You can clearly see the wreck off the south west corner of Georges Island. NRCan Also offers the Side Scan image below.
South Coast Today is reporting that the new Yarmouth ferry is subject to blackout dates. The dates Were imposed by the city of Portland Maine, due to increased cruise ship traffic those days. The days are Aug 28, Sept 12, 21, 23, 24, 25, 30. On those dates the ferry cannot tie up in Portland – removing those dates from the schedule. Based on projections, the lost trips could end up costing NS tourism operators Close to a million dollars in lost revenue.
Word is Nova Star Cruises has filed for bankruptcy. Trustee Deloitte Restructuring says the company went bankrupt April 13th. As of today, the Boat appears to be running a Ferry service between Algeciras Spain and Tangier Morocco. It appears to still be operating as the Nova Star, But may be on temporary fill in duty.
UPDATE: A list of Creditors was Released, as well as a statement of Assets. Among the people they owe money too are Various AAA Chapters (Presumably advertising) $512 to the Africville Heritage Trust, Thousands to Jost and Benjamin Bridge Wineries, 1500.00 to Tall Ships Art Productions, 4000 to an Ariel Photographer. 51,000 to Grant Thorton. 33,000 to the Public Affairs Institiute, 37000 to the Town of Yarmouth, 10000 to LG Trask. 139,000 to the Boston globe. 1.2 million to Fleet Pro Ocean, who provide ship management services, and 12 million to ST Maritime, for what are presumably charter payments for the boat. In short, it looks that they stopped paying their bills a few moths ago. most appear to be for Advertising costs, and the boat itself.
In other Ferry News – The USNS Puerto Rico Arrived at the shipyard in Charleston for conversion to be the new Yarmouth ferry last week. Though she took a USNS name, she was never put into service with the Navy, and likely retains her fit from her Hawaii Superferry Days.
The Cat Is back!
The new Yarmouth ferry service will Start June 15th, and feature a return to Bay ferries operation and a high speed catamaran . The province has reached a 10-year agreement with Bay Ferries Limited to
manage and operate a high-speed ferry between Yarmouth and Portland,
Maine. The 2016 season schedule is anticipated to run June 15 to Sept. 30,
departing Yarmouth and Portland daily at 8 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
respectively and returning to Yarmouth at 9 p.m.
Government will provide annual funding for the ferry
service, including marketing, at $10.2 million for the first season and
$9.4 million for the second. There will also be $4.1 million for
start-up costs that will include terminal upgrades and $9 million
towards the ferry’s retrofit, in lieu of two years of charter fees.
This catamaran has a different hull form from the previous cats. The vessel itself is very similar to the hull
form used by the US Navy in its Spearhead class of Joint High-Speed Vessels. The vessel is rumored to be the former Hawaiian Super ferry Alakai.
Built in 2007, she ran for over a year before court cases surrounding an environmental review of the ferry service caused the service to be suspended in 2009, the company went bankrupt, and the 2 ferries became the property of the US Federal government who help finance their construction. She was auctioned off by the court in 2010 for $25 million, and purchased by the US Maritime Administration. The US Navy acquired the boat in 2012, her sister going into service in the pacific, but Alakai was renamed USNS Puerto Rico and laid up in Philadelphia.
The new service is Yarmouth-based, leaving Yarmouth in the morning,
travelling to Portland, and returning to Nova Scotia that evening. It
will increase overnight stays in the region and provide an economic
boost to Nova Scotia businesses.
It will reduce the travel time
in half and eliminate the need for vessel cabins and additional onboard
staff. It will also be quicker than driving between Portland and Nova
Scotia.
Original:
News conference is Booked for 1 PM with the Nova Scotia transportation minister and the president of Bay ferries.
So after eating 32million dollars, the Nova Star is out, and Bay Ferries is now negotiating a contract to take over the Portland to Yarmouth ferry run.
This is Probably a good thing – Bay operates the Digby/Saint John run, as well as the Northumberland Ferries from Pictou to PEI. They also previously ran the CAT on this route, prior to its Cancellation.
They will need a Suitable boat, and one that is immediately available. The NovaStar will presumably be available, though if NovaStar Couldnt run it profitably, who knows if Bay Can. There is however a Ferry available Locally. The Princess of Acadia. Recently retired from the Digby/Saint John run, she is owned by the feds, but was previously operated by Bay. She is available, possibly for charter or Purchase, and a known commodity to Bay.
