More choppy seas for Marine Atlantic

NORTH SYDNEY, N.S. (Feb. 3) — Marine Atlantic’s service record weathered more choppy seas yesterday when the ferry operator’s MV Atlantic Freighter was taken out of service due to mechanical trouble. The ship had been operating opposite MV Caribou in winter service between North Sydney, N.S., and Port aux Basques, Nfld.

The ferry operator said it has taken immediate steps to make the idle MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood ready for service as quickly as possible. The Smallwood, which had been undergoing maintenance, is expected to be ready for service by Friday of this week. Until that time, the Caribou will operate on an accelerated load-and-go basis, in an effort to keep traffic current, Marine Atlantic said.

Marine Atlantic has been plagued by service disruptions and what the Newfoundland government has called poor management decisions of late. The company provides a vital link between the island and mainland.

The Smallwood and Caribou each can carry approximately 1200 passengers and 370 automobiles, or 77 tractor-trailers and 18 cars.