The MV Highlanders ferry, serving between Port Aux Basques and North Sydney, N.S., is out until at least late next week as a result of a generator breakdown discovered Wednesday, Marine Atlantic says.
Marine Atlantic has had to reschedule 8,000 passengers to sailings as close to their original bookings as possible.
But there were some high winds forecast for this afternoon (Friday) on the west coast that Marine Atlantic said would likely thwart the schedule for a short time, spokesman Darrell Mercer said.
The schedule of other Marine Atlantic vessels has been modified to accommodate passengers affected by the Highlanders’ breakdown.
There are three additional sailings in all, using the Atlantic Vision and Leif Ericson for extra duties. The Blue Puttees is also still in service.
As well, Marine Atlantic is offering passengers who had already reserved on the Highlanders, and commercial customers, the option of going the Argentia route at no extra cost.
More passengers were displaced on the Port Aux Basques to North Sydney crossings because demand is higher at this time than those who were departing North Sydney, Mercer said.
Mercer said the crunchtime will be this weekend and traffic volumes will drop off by Monday.
Marine Atlantic is not accepting new bookings at this time and Mercer said the agency apologizes for the inconvenience.
Customers can check the website www.marineatlantic.ca or call 1 800 341-7981 for more information.
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