The Digby to Saint John ferry won’t be back in service as planned.
The ‘Fundy Rose’ was put in drydock in January for maintenance, including work on the engine control system.
It aligned with work that is underway at the dock facility in Saint John that can’t be done while the ship is in service.
The ‘Fundy Rose’ was supposed to return to service around March 21.
Bay Ferries CEO Mark MacDonald says that has now been extended to April 26.
He says the replacement of the fendering at the berth in Saint John is taking longer than scheduled.
“It’s a really complicated bit of construction that involves underwater construction which the contractor has to do at low tide. that is impacted by weather, it’s impacted by wind. It has been a difficult winter. There was a period that i think we had four nor’easters. It’s getting done as quickly as it can get done. The contractor is working very hard at completion. ”
MacDonald says they understand it impacts the trucking industry which supports the fishing industry.
“Serving the trucking industry is one of the absolute backbones of the ferry service. We’re now getting into the period where it is more disruptive to the trucking industry. All we can do is get back in business as possibly as we can nad that is what all the contractors are trying to do.”
He calls the Transport Canada capital project in Saint John “a very positive, long-term investment in the ferry service.
For up-to-date schedule information please visit our website.
The CAT: https://t.co/vKN3P1tgdA
Fundy Rose: https://t.co/LZpnzxlt27 pic.twitter.com/jhCoD9Smnd— Bay Ferries (@BayFerries) May 12, 2017
