Marine Atlantic diverts ferry to relieve backlog in North Sydney

Marine Atlantic’s MV Highlanders is seen docked in North Sydney, N.S. in this file photo.

Some ferry traffic is finally moving between North Sydney and Newfoundland after Marine Atlantic diverted its Argentia-bound boat to Port aux Basques to help relieve a large and growing backlog in North Sydney.

Marine Atlantic’s MV Highlanders has been docked in North Sydney since last week, getting generator repairs. That, combined with harsh ocean winds, has caused delays in the ferry service to Port aux Basques.

However, the Crown corporation says things are starting to look better.

“We are making good progress now,” says Darrell Mercer of Marine Atlantic. “Some customers who had reserved bookings are actually leaving in advance of their original sailing times and those who are going to be delayed, those delays are now in the four to five hour range.”

With the latest ferry backlog set to last into the weekend and possibly longer, Marine Atlantic made the controversial move to eliminate its Argentia run for a couple of days in an attempt to move traffic more quickly across the Cabot Strait between North Sydney and Port aux Basques.

It’s a move the Crown corporation says is working, although it admits the decision has caused some inconvenience for people booked on its Argentia runs.

Those scheduled to leave on yesterday’s boat out of North Sydney will have to choose between waiting until tomorrow or re-booking sooner through Port aux Basques, on the other side of Newfoundland.

Affected customers are being offered a free trip through Port aux Basques or vouchers for future use. Mercer says while some passengers are annoyed, most are being patient.

“For the most part, the reaction has been one of understanding,” says Mercer. “They recognize the capacity challenges we were facing were significant and that moving the Atlantic Vision to the Port aux Basques - North Sydney crossing did allow us to move an extra 2,000 vehicles.”

Marine Atlantic says the Highlanders should be back in the water by Saturday and its schedules should go back to normal shortly after.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Ryan MacDonald