Ferry service to halt for Earl

Marine Atlantic vessels will remain docked while Hurricane Earl passes through the region tomorrow.

“We have made a decision that we’re going to suspend operations for a period of approximately 12 hours (Saturday),” spokeswoman Tara Laing told The Telegram. “It will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. in North Sydney and from noon until midnight in Port aux Basques.”

Laing said that while the crossings will be held, the terminal buildings will remain open.

The decision to hold the crossings was made early this afternoon, based on available weather forecasts.

“As a result of that suspension of service, we will see a number of sailings impacted,” Laing said. “So it will take us throughout the weekend to get back on our regular schedule.”

“We have made a decision that we’re going to suspend operations for a period of approximately 12 hours (Saturday),” - Marine Atlantic spokeswoman Tara Laing

The Atlantic Vision, the Caribou and the Joseph and Clara Smallwood are anticipated to be back on schedule by the end of the day Monday — perhaps little comfort to Labour Day weekend travelers.

The commercial vessel, the Leif Ericson, is expected to be back on schedule on Wednesday.

Laing said, should the Hurricane Earl’s predicted path again shift, the crossing schedule may again be changed.

Marine Atlantic are providing notifications to passengers via e-mail (if they selected e-mail as an option upon registering) and phone. In addition, new sailing check-in times are being posted online. Customers may also call: 1-800-341-7981 for information.

afitzpatrick@thetelegram.com