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

1997 closing dates set for Labrador shipping season

Marine Atlantic has set closing dates for its coastal Labrador shipping service for 1997.

As in previous years, there will be three closing dates for three specific coastal areas.

Freight will be accepted for Goose Bay at Marine Atlantic's Lewisporte terminal and at St. Anthony until 4:30 p.m. November 4. This date will also apply to freight originating at Goose Bay.

Freight for northern Labrador, north of Rigolet ports to Nain, will be accepted at Lewisporte and St. Anthony until 4:30 p.m. November 12, while freight for southern Labrador, from Red Bay ports to Rigolet, will be accepted at Lewisporte and St. Anthony up to 4:30 p.m. November 17.

In all instances, final sailings will take place shortly after each closing date.

General manager John Baker notes that transhipping of freight at Cartwright enables Marine Atlantic to maximize the time available to customers who live in areas that have late freezing patterns.

"The three separate dates mean we can try to tailor our shipping patterns more effectively to the onset of winter in different areas," Baker says.

He adds that while the schedule is designed to give as much time as possible to Marine Atlantic's coastal customers, the operation will ultimately be governed by weather and how ice conditions develop.

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