Changes to Bell Island Ferry Schedules Announced

Changes were announced today to the Bell Island ferry schedule to ensure that vessel crews get adequate rest periods and that there is sufficient time for effective maintenance. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, announced the changes.

“Our ferry crews work long shifts to provide the best level of service possible to residents of and visitors to Bell Island and it is essential that they are given rest periods at appropriate times,” said Minister Hedderson. “There is a structural problem in the schedule that sees some of the break times for the Beaumont Hamel’s crew fall outside the technical timeframes in which they are required. The revised schedule addresses this issue and is being put into place effective this coming Monday.”

Bell Island is normally served by two vessels, the MV Flanders and the MV Beaumont Hamel. The schedule of the MV Beaumont Hamel needed to be adjusted which has necessitated minor changes to the schedule of MV Flanders as well.

Department of Transportation and Works staff have been working with the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee in an effort to develop an interim schedule that maintains the highest level of service possible. This interim schedule will see a total of seven round trips per week removed from the current posted schedule.

“Our department has been working with the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee and David Brazil their MHA for the better part of a week as we developed the interim schedule,” said Minister Hedderson. “There has been considerable back and forth between the committee and the department and we have tried to accommodate as many requests from the committee as possible. This interim schedule is necessary and we are, as always, open to further discussion with the committee to ensure the best possible service to Bell Island.”

The interim schedule will be posted shortly on the department’s website at:
//www.tw.gov.nl.ca/ferryservices/schedules/a_bipc.html 

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Media contact:
Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca 

2011 01 28             5:05 p.m.