Ferry replacement takes first journey from P.E.I. to N.S. with full capacity, seven daily trips coming Aug. 22

WOOD ISLANDS, P.E.I. — The substitute for a ferry that caught on fireplace final month has began crossing between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

The MV Saaremaa sailed from Wooden Islands to Caribou on the morning of Aug. 20, with a load of 87 passengers and about 30 automobiles.

The Saaremaa solely crossed as soon as with effectively beneath its capability of 600 passengers, however that’s as a result of printed tickets haven’t but gone on sale. Regular gross sales will start on Aug. 22, with a complete of seven every day crossings, stated Don Cormier, vice-president of Northumberland Ferries Restricted, in an Aug. 20 SaltWire interview.

“We’ve obtained some changes, and we’re taking our time, ensuring we do all the things safely.”

The MV Vacation Island, which the Saaremaa is changing, usually made eight crossings every day. However, after a hearth in its engine room that pressured the crew and passengers to evacuate, the Vacation Island has been docked in its Wooden Islands berth. There, it waits on a call from the insurance coverage firm and proprietor, Cormier stated, not wanting to take a position on what its future could also be.

“We’ve obtained some changes, and we’re taking our time, ensuring we do all the things safely.”

– Don Cormier, vice-president of Northumberland Ferries Restricted

The primary crossing gave NFL a possibility to make ultimate changes, finishing a course of that started just a few weeks in the past when NFL secured the Saaremaa as a substitute.

These changes embody ensuring the ship may be positioned correctly within the dock, and the transition ramp between ship and shore suits, Cormier stated.

“We’re going to be making some additional changes as we go alongside, now that we will really see some automobiles go on and off.”

Logan MacLean is a reporter with SaltWire Community

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@loganmaclean94