The CEO of Bay Ferries Ltd says the company is always looking at the best ways of providing its service out of Yarmouth.
During its season, the high-speed Cat ferry has been sailing to Portland but Mark MacDonald says they’re exploring the possibility of using Bar Harbour.
He says changes at the ferry terminal in Bar Harbour made it necessary for Bay Ferries to publicly declare their intent.
Macdonald says the state of Maine has acquired ownership of the facility and he says the city of Bar Harbour is going through a process of consideration for potential use of that property.
He says Bay Ferries has a good relationship with the city of Portland, but as a port for ferry service, it’s has issues.
“There’s a great demand for the waterfront space in Portland, there’s a very high demand in the port area of Portland for cruises ship usage.
MacDonald says Portland also has the issue of making sure their facilities are in compliance with U-S Customs and Border Protection requirements.
He those issues are not unique to Portland but do pose problems for a ferry service.
MacDonald says it’s too soon to say if they will make a change from Portland to Bar Harbour or sail to both ports as they did in 2005 when the Scotia Prince cancelled its service.
He added they always keep the province fully apprised of what they are doing.
