The following is being distributed at the request of Marine Atlantic:

Ferries change schedule to prepare for busy summer

The spring maintenance period for Marine Atlantic ferries will begin two weeks earlier than usual this year, in order to ensure that all is in readiness for what's expected to be an extremely busy summer. Record-breaking passenger volumes are expected between North Sydney and Newfoundland, as the province celebrates the 500th anniversary of John Cabot's landfall.

Major work is being done on MV Caribou to ensure full bow loading capability, so that the busy peak season schedule can be reliably maintained. To accommodate this overhaul, the schedule will vary from that previously published for the period between April 16 and April 30. Passengers holding reservations have been advised accordingly.

Effective Wednesday, MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood will make nine round trips per week between Port aux Basques and North Sydney. Supplementary freight capacity will be provided by MV Atlantic Freighter. The Smallwood will operate in "fast-turn" mode during the busier part of the week, from Thursday through Sunday.

Effective May 1, an additional weekly round trip will be made, in accordance with the published spring schedule. The Caribou will return to service in mid-May, and the Smallwood will then undergo maintenance. Frequency increases to 14 trips per week on the first of June, when work on both ships will be complete.

The summer schedule is in effect from June 20 through August 31, providing 15 weekly round trips between North Sydney and Port aux Basques, and three per week between North Sydney and Argentia. Reservation activity has been brisk, with nearly 30 per cent of total passenger vehicle space for this period already booked.

Contact: Ted Bartlett, Director of Public Relations, (506) 851-3611 or (709) 772-5731.