Transportation Minister Tom Hedderson announced today funding of $1.5-million for a pilot project to test the possibility of providing a year-round ferry service between the island portion of the province and Labrador, across the Strait of Belle Isle.
"Right on the heels of the opening of the Trans-Labrador Highway, Phase III, we are pleased to be announcing another historic transportation initiative that will benefit Newfoundlanders and Labradorians travelling or shipping goods between the Big Land and the island," Hedderson said. "While this is indeed a great initiative, people should keep in mind that this is a bold endeavour in a difficult winter environment and that over the course of the winter we may encounter conditions that, despite our best efforts, cause disruptions in service."
The service by the MV Apollo will continue to operate between St. Barbe and Blanc Sablon until Jan. 31, or until ice and weather conditions dictate otherwise.
At that time, the service will continue to be provided for the duration of the winter season, with two round trips per week, between Corner Brook and Blanc Sablon.
The MV Apollo will be taken out of service on Feb. 1, to undergo its annual refit for approximately eight weeks. During the Apollo's refit, the MV Sir Robert Bond will provide the service. As with any ferry service in the province, service provided during this pilot project will be subject to suitable ice and weather conditions.
Pilot project to test year-round ferry service between the island and Labrador
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Published on
January 7, 2010
- Published on June 30, 2010
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Staff ~ The Telegram
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Comments
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- Pit Bulls Kill
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:18
I may be interested in taking this trip? How long would it take to sail from Corner Brook to Blanc Sablon?
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- DB
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:05
I guess this won't be good enough for the oposition either.
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- DB
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:02:01
John I looked at the so called story from yesterday and agree with Don it didn't happen overnight i guess Yvonne will be taking credit for this one if she can get away with it.
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- John
- - July 2, 2010 at 15:01:30
The Island-Labrador ferry connection should be a DIRECT link between Newfoundland and its mainland territory -- not a service through Blanc Sablon in Quebec.
Only the province of Newfoundland and Labrador would put up with this transportation anomaly between its two parts. -
- Rob
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:58:30
Corner Brook???
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- SD from NL
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:50:36
What a great initiative by this government. It is so funny that the opposition comes out yesterday asking for the same thing, i guess they knew the announcement was coming out today. The Liberals had the same opportunity to do this years ago when they were in power.
Its great to see the st barbe ferry service extended again, same as the last 4-5 yrs. Whats the opposition going to complain about now? -
- W
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:49:39
the island portion of the province
= = =
You mean, Newfoundland?
Why use six words where one will do? -
- Jack
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:46:21
Well I would think the government informed Yvonne ether yesterday or in the last couple off days that they were planing on this then she just jumped on the band wagon to garner a favorable impression for her constituents LOL Good try any way
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- bob
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:31
Rob, I guess Corner Brook is a good choice because it already has a world class deep water port and the bay is already being cleared by icebreakers all the time in the winter. There is also an oceanx terminal there now so it would be easy to load the ferry with goods for the winter months also. The container ships are always bring in good to the area all winter long (not just the paper boats). So it does make a lot of good sense to use Corner Brook. However, I can see how people up the norther pen. could feel like they are being snubed though.
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- W
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:45:18
This could have been done years ago.
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- Don
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:42:47
I suppose Yvonne Jones will now say it is because of her that the province is doing this. A plan like this does not just happen in 24 hours. It takes a greater effort that that to do this. You have to plan with the Coast Guard and the owners of the port of Corner Brook and the port facilities before this can come together. In other words Jones had nothing to do with it. This has been in the planning stages for some time.
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- John
- - July 2, 2010 at 14:41:47
DB from NL - Get up to date on current events. It's exactly what the opposition called for yesterday. At least look at today's paper before you make unfounded comments.
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- Pit Bulls Kill
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:51:09
I may be interested in taking this trip? How long would it take to sail from Corner Brook to Blanc Sablon?
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- DB
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:50:50
I guess this won't be good enough for the oposition either.
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- DB
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:50:45
John I looked at the so called story from yesterday and agree with Don it didn't happen overnight i guess Yvonne will be taking credit for this one if she can get away with it.
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- John
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:50:04
The Island-Labrador ferry connection should be a DIRECT link between Newfoundland and its mainland territory -- not a service through Blanc Sablon in Quebec.
Only the province of Newfoundland and Labrador would put up with this transportation anomaly between its two parts. -
- Rob
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:46:32
Corner Brook???
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- SD from NL
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:33:27
What a great initiative by this government. It is so funny that the opposition comes out yesterday asking for the same thing, i guess they knew the announcement was coming out today. The Liberals had the same opportunity to do this years ago when they were in power.
Its great to see the st barbe ferry service extended again, same as the last 4-5 yrs. Whats the opposition going to complain about now? -
- W
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:31:49
the island portion of the province
= = =
You mean, Newfoundland?
Why use six words where one will do? -
- Jack
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:26:21
Well I would think the government informed Yvonne ether yesterday or in the last couple off days that they were planing on this then she just jumped on the band wagon to garner a favorable impression for her constituents LOL Good try any way
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- bob
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:25:03
Rob, I guess Corner Brook is a good choice because it already has a world class deep water port and the bay is already being cleared by icebreakers all the time in the winter. There is also an oceanx terminal there now so it would be easy to load the ferry with goods for the winter months also. The container ships are always bring in good to the area all winter long (not just the paper boats). So it does make a lot of good sense to use Corner Brook. However, I can see how people up the norther pen. could feel like they are being snubed though.
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- W
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:24:42
This could have been done years ago.
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- Don
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:20:16
I suppose Yvonne Jones will now say it is because of her that the province is doing this. A plan like this does not just happen in 24 hours. It takes a greater effort that that to do this. You have to plan with the Coast Guard and the owners of the port of Corner Brook and the port facilities before this can come together. In other words Jones had nothing to do with it. This has been in the planning stages for some time.
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- John
- - July 1, 2010 at 21:18:33
DB from NL - Get up to date on current events. It's exactly what the opposition called for yesterday. At least look at today's paper before you make unfounded comments.
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