Big and Little Tancook Island residents concerned about future of ferry service

CTV Atlantic: Tancook Island residents concerned about ferry service

People who live on two small islands off Nova Scotia’s South Shore are expressing concerns about their ferry service, which is their only link to the mainland.

About 140 people live on Little and Big Tancook Islands full-time and that number can double in the summer.

Last month, the William G. Ernst failed to pass inspection. As a result, the number of passengers allowed on the ferry was cut nearly in half, to 45. The number of sailings increased but residents are complaining that some people are being left behind.

Now, concerns are being raised about the ferry service and its future.

“This is our highway and our highway is being blocked,” said resident Fran Levy.

About 100 people packed into a community hall on Wednesday to discuss the matter with John Majchrowicz, the head of Nova Scotia Marine Services.

“One of the things I want to get across to everyone is that the ferry is a safe ferry,” said Majchrowicz.

He now has to convince Transport Canada, the agency that licenses and regulates the ferry, that the vessel is safe.

There are plans to further assess the 32-year-old ferry next May when it goes into dry-dock. Another vessel will be brought into service during that time.

Still, concerns remain that some residents and tourists will be left behind until the problem is solved.

“Transport Canada is not going to switch their regulations, so the province of Nova Scotia has to dig a little deeper into their pockets,” says resident Ross MacKenzie.

“As long as we can try to get it down by next year, so we have something that is full capacity so we can have that year to reclaim this year’s,” says gallery owner Angela Connolly.

Majchrowicz says his goal is to return passenger capacity to 95.

Transport Canada will inspect the ferry again in November.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kelland Sundahl