Transportation and Works
September 3, 2015

Enhancing Marine Transportation to Meet the Needs of Residents

Provincial Government Increases Capacity for South East Bight Ferry Service

The Provincial Government continues to improve and modernize the provincial ferry fleet with increased passenger capacity for the South East Bight ferry service. The MV Norcon Oceanus, which operates between South East Bight and Petit Forte on the province's south coast, now has a maximum capacity of 36 passengers - up from 12.

"The marine service is of vital importance to the residents of South East Bight, transporting 20 people a day on average. In response to the needs of ferry users, we have worked with the service provider to increase the capacity by three times the number of passengers, providing greater support to the community, residents and visitors to the area. Our government has committed to providing quality marine services, and we continue to replace and modernize vessels to support communities in rural and remote areas".
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works

Minister Brazil also notes that the wharf in South East Bight will undergo repairs this summer through funding of $23,000. The South East Bight ferry service annually transports approximately 7,300 passengers.

"The increase in capacity for the MV Norcon Oceanus is certainly enhancing ferry services for residents and businesses on the south coast, particularly for the communities of South East Bight and Petit Forte. We will continue to work with ferry user groups and residents to ensure this important service meets their needs."
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development and MHA for the District of Burin - Placentia West

Great strides have been made to renew and modernize the provincial ferry fleet with two new ferries already delivering service. Annually, the provincial fleet of ferries transports more than 900,000 passengers, 400,000 vehicles, and 20,000 tonnes of freight across more than 50,000 arrivals and departures. It is among the largest provincial marine fleets in the county.

"With the new increase in capacity to the MV Norcon Oceanus comes a sense of relief for the residents of South East Bight. Not only has it made travelling easier for us as a community but it has re-opened the door for tourists to visitSouth East Bight and the resettled communities of Great Paradise and Little Paradise."
- Tracey Brewer, Chair of the South East Bight Local Service District

More information about Government of Newfoundland and Labrador marine services and the intra-provincial ferry service can be found at www.tw.gov.nl.ca/ferryservices/index.stm. The website includes an online status board which shows the current status of each ferry, weather conditions and bulletins.

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government has increased the passenger capacity of the South East Bight ferry service.
• The MV Norcon Oceanus has been enhanced to increase passenger capacity from 12 passengers to a maximum of 36 passengers.
• Annually, the provincial fleet of ferries transports more than 900,000 passengers, 400,000 vehicles, and 20,000 tonnes of freight across more than 50,000 arrivals and departures. It is among the largest provincial marine fleets in the county.

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Media contacts:

Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca	Janice Brushett Constituency Assistant to the Honourable Clyde Jackman MHA for Burin - Placentia West 709-891-5607 janicebrushett@gov.nl.ca
Tracey Brewer Chair of Local Service District South East Bight 709-428-3106 Tracey.brewer@hotmail.com

2015 09 03                              10:20 a.m.