DIGBY, NS – The Fundy Rose ferry is off its Digby-to-Saint John ferry run due to scheduled maintenance that will be carried out in Halifax.
Service is expected to resume on or about Monday, Feb. 25.
For a while now, the schedule on Bay Ferries’ website has reflected the dates that the ferry will not be running. A travel advisory is also been posted on the website that reads: “Bay Ferries Limited advises that the Saint John-Digby ferry service will be temporarily suspended after the 9 a.m. sailing from Saint John on Monday, Jan. 28, as the MV Fundy Rose will be departing to undergo a regularly scheduled dry-docking.
“These regular dry-dockings are required to meet classification society and statutory inspection regulations and allow operators to simultaneously undertake technical maintenance activities to ensure continued vessel reliability and safety,” the notice reads.
People are urged to check the Bay Ferries website for progress updates. They can also call toll free 1-877-762-7245.
“We regret any inconvenience caused while these maintenance activities are undertaken,” the company says, noting it always tries to schedule maintenance work for the least overall disruptive time of the year.
Last year the Fundy Rose was off its run for around three months after being taken out of service on Jan. 24 for maintenance work. Work was carried on both the vessel and the dock in Saint John last year.
There were several delays in carrying out all of the necessary work, which kept the ferry out of service longer than initially planned.
The duration of the ferry’s absence caused hardship to trucking companies who use the ferry to get their products – seafood in particular – to markets.
The MV Fundy Rose is owned by Transport Canada and leased to Bay Ferries Ltd.
