Ferry crossings between Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have been cancelled for the upcoming weekend due to an ongoing mechanical issue on the MV Confederation.
The ferry had recently returned to service after a two-week hiatus caused by a previous mechanical problem, but it was pulled out of service again on Sunday due to another glitch.
In a statement released on Thursday, Northumberland Ferries Limited announced that the issue is expected to be resolved over the weekend. Required parts are scheduled to arrive on Saturday, and an expedited repair process, followed by extensive testing, will bring the vessel back into service early next week. Consequently, ferry service will remain suspended on Saturday and Sunday.
The MV Saaremaa 1, the second vessel used for peak-season traffic, will not be available until the middle of July. Crews from Northumberland Ferries Limited have been dispatched to Quebec, where the MV Saaremaa 1 is currently located. They will join the vessel and make final preparations to ensure a safe entry into service upon its arrival in Prince Edward Island on July 9.
Mark Wilson, Senior Vice-President of Northumberland Ferries Limited, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused during the peak tourism season in Atlantic Canada. The company is working diligently to resume service as soon as possible and is offering automatic refunds to customers with sailing reservations up to and including July 9.