Coastal replacement ferry causing headaches

A 12-passenger limit aboard the MV Marine Eagle is causing some strife for people trying to travel to and from La Poile and Grand Bruit.

The limit means some would-be passengers are being left on the dock, at least until the ferry can make another round trip.

The Marine Eagle, which is owned by Puddister Trading Co. and operated under contract with the province, was put on the run on March 21 after the Challenge I was sent out for its annual three-week refit.

Monford Organ said it's causing headaches for the residents of La Poile. He is secretary-treasurer of the La Poile Transportation Committee and chair of the La Poile Local Service District.

Mr. Organ said it is especially difficult for older residents who have medical appointments. They can't be sure they will be on a crossing to arrive in time.

He said some people have been using their own boats to make the journey to Rose Blanche, rather than risk being stranded at the dock.

Mandy Ryan of Port aux Basques said she was almost asked to leave the vessel and wait for the next crossing while travelling to visit her spouse on April 28. Although she was eventually allowed to stay on, others were left waiting on the dock for several hours until the boat could return.

She said she has no issue with the crew aboard the Marine Eagle or the La Poile Transportation committee. Ms. Ryan said she is simply concerned that the people of La Poile and Grand Bruit are not being properly served by the ferry.

"You've got a ferry on the run that can only accommodate 12 passengers per sailing. What happens is that anyone over and above that 12 is left on the wharf," she said.

Ms. Ryan also raised questions about why the Rose Blanche dock does not have a ferry terminal, such as the one in Burgeo. She said many from La Poile rely on taxis to get to Port aux Basques, and if they arrive at the boat after 12 passengers have already boarded, they end up waiting outside in all sorts of weather.

She said the situation is unacceptable.

"If Puddister's is working under the rules, the rules need to be changed. It's just not good enough," she said.

More capacity

Mr. Organ said the boat is not big enough to handle the cargo coming out of Grand Bruit as residents of that community prepare to resettle before the end of June. He said the rear of the vessel gets swamped with water, even in light winds.

"We're not down on the captain and we're not down on the company - if anything the government and the Department of Transportation should be stepping up," he said.

The current contract for the La Poile-Grand Bruit run requires a 20-passenger vessel. The original contract stipulated 40 passengers, but after the Marine Coaster was decommissioned in 2009, the provincial government amended the contract to 20 passengers, so that the Challenge I could be brought on.

Mr. Organ said the La Poile committee was not aware of the contract amendment.

Art Puddister of Puddister Trading Co. said the terms of their contract gives them three weeks to refit their primary vessel on every run. During that time, the province is responsible for providing the relief vessel.

In this case, the Marine Eagle was contracted to do the run. It was the only ferry available, according to Transportation Minister Tom Hedderson.

After refitting the Challenge I, that ship was sent to serve the people of Francois while their ship, the Marine Voyager, is out for refit. That was done with the approval of the La Poile Transportation Committee, according to Mr. Puddister.

Mr. Organ said the transportation committee agreed to continue using the Marine Eagle because the 12-passenger rule had never been strictly enforced before now. He said a new captain aboard the vessel is enforcing the rules because his licence is at stake, and Mr. Organ doesn't blame the captain for doing so.

Mr. Puddister said he can understand the frustration of the people, but added his company is committed to making as many runs as necessary.

"It comes down to one thing. There needs to be more vessels in the system. So when vessels go on refit, you have adequate vessels to replace them," he said.

That isn't something Transportation Minister Hedderson denies. He noted that the province is working to build six new ferry vessels, five of which are slated for south coast runs.

He said he can also agree that a 12-passenger capacity isn't enough.

"We're always apologetic to the disruptions and the interruptions but we're dealing with the fleet, we're dealing with the sea and refits. Unfortunately there are some disruptions," he said.

He expects the Challenge I to be back on the La Poile run by May 24.

Minister Hedderson said the lack of a terminal in Rose Blanche has been brought to his attention and his department is working on it.

"It is in our priority list because naturally we need to have some sort of a terminal there for obvious reasons," he said. "I'm going to do everything I can to address that, I don't know about this year, but in the coming years."

reporter@gulfnews.ca