Ferry service doesn't measure up

Upon arrival at the terminal at 8:30 p.m., we were told we would be travelling on the Blue Puttee, and instead, our departure time was scheduled to be 11:45 p.m. Loading didn't start until 11:30 p.m.

We had to sit and watch the agonizingly slow operation of loading the "drop" trailers for about three hours. When the automobiles started to load, there was only one man directing the flow of traffic on land and about 20 aboard the ferry.

The lone individual on land had a scanner to check the tickets when you got up to him and it was not operating properly or efficiently, but then neither is Marine Atlantic. When we did get on the ferry we went aboard the lower ramp and then had to travel down another ramp into the bowels of the ship. Another dozen or so individuals directing the parking of the vehicles in a helter-skelter fashion and then an elevator trip up to the Deck Seven or Eight.

We found a couple of reclining chairs in which to spend the night and were treated to a grand display of televisions. I thought for a minute we were in Future Shop. There was all kinds of video but no sound. Turns out you need earphones - which are extra cost, of course.

It turns out recliners do not really recline but only tilt. So much for a comfortable night. The cabins which are much more comfortable are much more expensive and for those of us on fixed income, are a luxury we cannot afford.

Why could they not provide the bunkhouses the Caribou and Smallwood had? At least you could catch some sleep before heading out over the highway.

We finally departed at 2 a.m. and arrived in North Sydney at 8:30 a.m. An uneventful crossing but little sleep. We went for breakfast in the dining room but seeing we were only going to have coffee and toast, we were told we would have to return to the "take out" and find a seat and table (I believe there are four) and enjoy our breakfast.

We asked what it would take to gain admittance to the dining room and were told if one of us bought the hungry man's breakfast (bacon and eggs), the other could have toast and coffee. That was the route we took. We were assigned a little stainless number to put on the table of our choice (of which there were many) and a waitress would deliver our meal. After a wait, our breakfast showed up. The scrambled eggs, while cool on the outside, were rather hot internally. Nuked, of course. The bacon and home fries were cool. The coffee was hot and good but the cups were small and dainty, and not up to the cup size one is accustomed to at home.

Once the ferry docked and all passengers were waiting to return to their vehicles, it was announced that those of us on Deck One would have to wait until the deck above had unloaded before we could return to our vehicle.

Finally, almost an hour after docking, we were able to escape. This having to travel up that narrow ramp, make a U-turn and proceed in the direction we had entered the ferry. Twelve hours from the time we entered the parking lot in Port aux Basques to reaching the terminal yard in North Sydney, and we had travelled just 90 miles across the Gulf.

Our return experience began on April 13. We had originally been scheduled to depart at 10:30 p.m. but were told beforehand the actual departure time would be 2:30 a.m. We did arrive in plenty of time at 9 p.m. with a trailer in tow and got in line. We went into the cafeteria to get a bite to eat and I ordered small fries and gravy. That took 20 minutes to prepare. Another passenger asked the waitress what time they closed and she replied "I'm not quite sure." The man mentioned it to his friend and they had quite a laugh. I suppose Marine Atlantic's rules are starting to trickle down to all.

After eating my meal, I went to the washroom only to find a "Closed for Cleaning" sign on the door. This was at 10:30 p.m. I had to climb two flights of stairs because I am afraid of elevators. We returned to our vehicle and at approximately 1 a.m., they started to load.

The ferry was the Blue Puttees. After loading all the passenger cars and pickups, they came to the line of vehicles which had trailers in tow and told us we would have to wait a few minutes while they loaded some trucks.

Fifteen minutes later they started to load the "drop" trailers, and proceeded to load about 25 of them. We stopped counting after 20 and they still kept coming. It was taking about seven or eight minutes per trailer.

We finally got on the ferry at 3:30 a.m. After paying another $38, we got the special reclining chairs which included "free" earphones. The compartment they were in was cold and the chairs did not recline any further then the free use ones. Here was another television display but this time we could hear what was going on. Or so we thought. My husband tried his chair and earphones without any luck but my chair worked.

After 4:30 a.m. or so, we started to move and finally thought we were on our way. Wrong.

We backed out, turned around and docked again. It seems there were two oversized tractor trailers that could not enter the bow ramps because of their width. Later on, while getting ready to disembark, we saw the wide loads. These loads are the wide loads you see almost every day on the highways accompanied by escort vehicles with flashing lights. Not of any concern on the road, but unable to make use of the bow ramps on the Blue Puttees. I would imagine the Highlander is equipped with the same type of ramp arrangement.

The Caribou and Smallwood never had problems like this. From what we heard, the new ferries cannot make a fast turnaround in under five hours because of the difficulty in handling "drop" trailers.

Those in charge should think seriously of putting the Caribou and Smallwood in major refit and bring them back to serving Newfoundlanders like they did for so long. They were, in my mind, two of the best ferries we have had and can still provide adequate service to the Gulf run.

Put the new ferries on the "drop" trailers and Argentia service for tourist with all the bells and whistles that impressed Marine Atlantic officials when they entered into the lease with those smarter then themselves.

They might have been impressed - but we are not.

We have no disrespect for the ships themselves because they were designed for a different service and we have only the highest regards for those men and women who serve aboard the ferries.

I wonder what is going to happen in less than five years when the lease is up and they don't have any ships on hand if the lease won't be renewed. Pleasant dreams.

The Royal Newfoundland Regiment, Blue Puttees and what they stood for is not what the ferry by the same name deserves.

Sara and Ross MacLennan live in CBS

This letter originally ran in The Telegram