Labrador ferry services to begin

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Percy Barrett announced today the M/V Sir Robert Bond, the M/V Astron and the M/V Nada will depart the Lewisporte terminal for Labrador over the next several days.

The Bond, which provides both passenger and freight services, will leave Lewisporte today (June 21) at 4:00 p.m, destined for Cartwright, Happy Valley-Goose Bay and return.

The Astron is scheduled to depart Lewisporte Saturday, June 22 and the Nada sails Tuesday, June 25. Due to poor ice conditions along the north coast of Labrador, the Astron and Nada will call upon Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Rigolet and southern ports only. Scheduled services for northern Labrador ports will commence when ice conditions permit.

Minister Barrett said ice conditions along the coast of Labrador and Lake Melville prevented the Bond from departing Lewisporte on June 9, as scheduled. Ice conditions also delayed the departures of the Astron and the Nada.

"Unfortunately, ice conditions have prevented us from beginning the season as scheduled. We were concerned we would damage the vessels and further delay the start up of the shipping season if we operated in such heavy ice," said Minister Barrett. "The ice has cleared enough to allow us to operate along the south coast, providing favourable winds keep the ice offshore. However, we�re still experiencing problems with ice along the north coast."

The M/V Northern Ranger, which provides passenger and freight service, is scheduled to depart St. Anthony, July 1 calling on all ports to Nain, ice conditions permitting.

Media contact: Lynn Evans, Communications, (709) 729-3015.

2002 06 21                            11:35 a.m.