FUNDY ROSE

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New ferry delayed for uncertain time

The "Fundy Rose" made its second call to both Saint John and Digby on July 15, 2015, for final ramp checks, sea trials and training plus a ribbon cutting and a public open house in both ports. But she will not replace the "Princess of Acadia" on the Digby Saint John run on July 17 as planned. Bay Ferries still have some work to do to get the ship ready before it enters into service. The ferry has been undergoing refit and renovations in Halifax since arriving in Canada in December 2014, and the federal government expected to have the ship ready to enter into service in spring. At the end of spring, the federal government announced the "Fundy Rose" would be ready by the end of July. The federal government purchased the ship in fall 2014 for $44.6 million from the Blue Star ferry line in Greece. The 41-year-old "Princess of Acadia" has been keeping to the new schedule, designed with the new faster ship in mind, since the third week of June.

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Look here to see how easy one can "park" the ship. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBwo_OqGwpI

Ottawa confirms purchase of new Digby-Saint John ferry

DIGBY - The federal government of Canada announced on Oct. 31 it will buy the ferry BLUE STAR ITHAKI from a private operator in Greece to replace the Princess of Acadia on the Bay of Fundy service between Digby and Saint John. The deal was finalized Oct. 10, and the Itaki purchase price is approximately $44.6 million. The purchased follows an extensive evaluation process, which involved identifying and assessing the suitability of candidate vessels from around the world. The Blue Star Ithaki was selected as representing the best value for Canadians and having the capacity to meet the operational requirements of the Digby-Saint John ferry service. The vessel’s introduction into service is expected next year. Upon arrival of the vessel in Canada, modifications will need to be made for the vessel to meet Canadian safety regulations and compatibility with existing shore-based infrastructure and operation in the Bay of Fundy.The Ithaki is a Greek-flagged roll on-roll off passenger ferry vessel built in 2000 by Daewoo Industries. The Transport Canada news release said the ferry is in excellent condition with at least 20 years of useful life remaining. A RO-RO vessel is designed to carry wheeled cargo, such as automobiles, trucks, semi-trailer trucks, and trailers, that are driven on and off the vessel on their own wheels. The Ithaki is 124 metres in length and 19 metres in breadth, with a cruising speed of 20 knots. It has modern onboard amenities and segregated car and vehicle decks. The Digby-Saint John ferry service is operated year-round by Bay Ferries Ltd., using the Transport Canada-owned Princess of Acadia. Since 2006, Ottawa has provided approximately $38 million to support this service. In announcing the purchase, Transport Minister Lisa Raitt said Ottawa understands the importance of this ferry service to the local community and economy in support of regional trade and tourism.“This replacement vessel will ensure the continued safe, reliable and efficient operation of the service while creating jobs and supporting the local economy,” she said.The choice of the Greek ferry has been an open secret in the area. The Oct. 3 issue of The Digby Courier reported that people in Digby altready had been googling the words “Blue Star Ithaki” to look at pictures of a ferry in service among the islands of Greece.Linda Gregory, warden of the Municipality of Digby, said in open council on Sept. 22 that she had seen pictures of the vessel chosen to replace the Princess of Acadia.“We’ve known for months but we’ve been asked not to say anything,” she said. “It looks nice.” Norm Lockyer, chair of the Bay of Fundy Marine Transportation Association, made similar comments at the association’s annual general meeting Sept. 24.“We aren’t making any announcements here but if you take a trip on the ferry (Princess of Acadia), and ask the right people, they will give you a URL (web address) and even show you pictures,” he said. Source : novanewsnow