MV Confederation
MV Confederation is a double-ended RORO ferry which operates on a seasonal basis between Caribou, Nova Scotia and Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island from May to December. It is operated by Northumberland Ferries Limited (NFL). Built by Pictou Industries Limited for NFL and launched in Pictou, NS in 1993 Confederation has a total length of 114.2 metres, beam of 18.77m, a draft of 4.439m and a gross tonnage of 8,060. Her passenger capacity is 600 with a vehicle capacity of 220.[1]
History
[edit]Background
[edit]As early as 1985, increased tourist traffic prompted talks of introducing a strategy to address capacity issues, as the facilities at Caribou and Wood Islands were operating well beyond capacity with vehicle lineups sometimes stretching several kilometers on either side of the route.[2] By November 1991, a contract was signed between the federal government and Pictou Industries to locally construct a new high-capacity ferry specifically designed for the route, with the anticipation of a second identical vessel eventually entering service. Both Caribou and Wood Islands terminals received major upgrades to accommodate the proposed vessels almost immediately in order to be completed by the maiden voyage of the new ferry.[3]
Construction
[edit]Construction of what would become known as the Confederation began in February, 1992 with a scheduled completion of July 1993.[4] Based on a Norwegian concept,[5] the ferry was to be double-ended due to the inability of a vessel of its size to turn around in both harbours, and she was to have an ice-strengthened bow. By the 1993 tourist season, it became clear that the vessel would not be completed on schedule due to technical issues with safety equipment and issues with docking infrastructure. MV Confederation was officially completed on October 28, 1993 at a price tag of $45 Million CAD and nearly 4 months behind schedule.[6]
Service history
[edit]MV Confederation officially entered service on November 1, 1993,[6] replacing 2 smaller ferries, the previous MV Confederation (1962) and MV Lord Selkirk (1958). In light of the announcement of the fixed link to Prince Edward Island around the same time of her introduction, plans to construct a sister ship were no longer considered viable due to a predicted reduction of traffic in the following years,[7] leaving Confederation as a completely unique vessel.
In 2015, the original logos of Northumberland Ferries were removed from her hull and replaced with a redesigned logo, as well as the stripes running the length of her being repainted blue from their original red appearance.
In 2016, the other vessel on the route, MV Holiday Island was out of service for an extended length of time undergoing major repairs and overhaul leaving the Confederation alone on the ferry route for the prime summer months. Despite additional crossings scheduled for the vessel,[8] local residents, the hospitality industry as a whole and commercial truckers protested as business suffered due to the reduction in service.[9][10] Confederation was also out of service from 29 September to 2 October that year due to an electrical problem.[11]
In September 2024, Confederation collided with her berth at Wood Islands due to an issue with the clutching system of the forward propeller resulting in a loss of braking power. The collision damaged Confederation’s bow visor heavily, resulting in the need to turn the vessel and all vehicles having to be backed off.[12] NFL does not expect Confederation to return to service before December, 2024.[13]
References
[edit]- ^ "General Information". Northumberland Ferries Limited. Retrieved 17 October 2016.
- ^ "Aging ferry infrastructure proving to be a source of major delays". Pictou Advocate. 12 July 1990. pp. 2–3.
- ^ MacDonald, Bruce (22 October 1992). "Caribou ferry compound upgrades nearing completion". Sunrise Daily. p. 1.
- ^ "Ferry contract becomes a reality for Pictou shipyard". Pictou Advocate. 13 November 1991. pp. 1–2.
- ^ "Crew requirements for new ferry to be discussed during contract negotiations". Pictou Advocate. 25 October 1991. pp. 1–2.
- ^ a b "P.E.I. ferry grounded after maiden voyage". The Chronicle Herald. Halifax, Nova Scotia. 4 November 1993. p. 1.
- ^ "Councilor protesting new review of fixed link". Pictou Advocate. Pictou, Nova Scotia. 15 January 1993. p. 1.
- ^ McEachern, Terrence (24 June 2016). "Northumberland Ferries adds sailings to MV Confederation schedule". CBC News. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ Sinclair, Jesara (13 June 2016). "Northumberland Ferries says MV Holiday Island won't enter service as planned". CBC News. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ MacDonald, Mitch (22 September 2016). "Ferry service disruptions cause 'disappointing year' for Eastern P.E.I. businesses". The Guardian. Charlottetown. Archived from the original on 24 September 2016. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ McEachern, Terrence (1 October 2016). "P.E.I.-N.S. ferry service expected to resume Sunday". CBC News. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
- ^ "MV Confederation out of service for unknown period after collision with wharf". October 14, 2024.
- ^ "MV Saaremaa out of commission for season, officials say". October 14, 2024.