CHARLOTTETOWN – Mark Wilson, Senior Vice President of Northumberland Ferries Limited (NFL), is issuing the following statement concerning the status of MV Confederation, operating the Prince Edward Island-Nova Scotia ferry service:
“On Friday, June 16, 2023, MV Confederation experienced an issue involving the drive connection between the port main engine and the central propulsion gearbox. This has been further identified as a mechanical flexible coupling in the propulsion drivetrain. The NFL team worked over the weekend to try to fix the issue by using a coupling from company spares inventory. Unfortunately, this was not successful and a new part has been ordered. The part must be manufactured as it is not stocked internationally. The estimated time for the new part is three to four weeks.
“Service is therefore suspended until the part has been manufactured, delivered, installed and tested. As a precaution, we are not accepting bookings for the next three weeks up to and including July 10. The second vessel for the 2023 peak operating season, MV Saaremaa 1, is currently in drydock in Quebec. It is scheduled to arrive in PEI in early July.
“This is a very unfortunate situation. We recognize the impact this has on our customers and the service and apologize for the disruption it is causing. We are working closely with the manufacturer and doing all we can to fast track the delivery of the part so that we can safely resume this important service as soon as possible.”
Mark Wilson, Senior Vice President of Northumberland Ferries Limited
All customers with reservations on sailings up to July 10 will be contacted to arrange a refund or re-book for alternate dates. Updates will be provided at our website www.ferries.ca when further information becomes available.
