Bell Island residents frustrated with ferry delays and maintenance issues

Residents of Bell Island in Newfoundland are frustrated with ongoing ferry issues and delays, which have caused long lines and affected commuters who rely on the service for health, jobs, and essential services. The MV Flanders was tied up with technical issues on July 18, while the MV Beaumont Hamel had to do an extra trip, causing delays and cancellations. The provincial government attempted to support Bell Island by taking one ferry off the Fogo Island route, but this decision resulted in backlash and protests from Fogo Island residents.

Residents of Bell Island in Newfoundland are grappling with persistent ferry issues and delays, causing significant inconvenience to commuters who rely on the service for health, jobs, and essential services. The MV Flanders was tied up with technical issues on July 18, while the MV Beaumont Hamel had to make an extra trip, leading to delays and cancellations. The provincial government attempted to support Bell Island by taking one ferry off the Fogo Island route, but this decision sparked protests from Fogo Island residents.

Verna Carey, a resident and member of the ferry committee, expressed growing frustration with the ferry service. "We have people that depend on [the ferry] for their health, for their jobs, for their education, for the essential services. This is our road, and without it, we have nothing," Carey said [1]. Carey was stuck in line for over four hours in Portugal Cove-St. Phillips on July 18, waiting for a ferry to take her home after a doctor's appointment.

The MV Flanders was back in service shortly after 10:00 a.m. on July 18, but Carey is increasingly concerned about the constant maintenance issues and delays. "How would you like it tomorrow if they decided 'your road is broken, we have no way for you to get home and we have no way for your other family members to get to you.' Would you like it?" Carey asked [1].

The provincial government has been considering expanding the ferry fleet to address these issues. Maria Browne, Department of Transportation and Infrastructure media relations manager, stated that the department is looking to understand the market availability of ferries that could be used to expand the province's fleet [1]. However, Carey and the ferry committee have been calling for immediate solutions.

Northern Shield Resources Inc. (TSXV: NRN) announced the completion of a 15-hole, 3,000 m diamond drill program at the Conquest Zone of the Root & Cellar Property, located on the Burin Peninsula in southeastern Newfoundland. The drilling program, which included intersections of gold mineralization and tellurium, is unrelated to the ferry issues on Bell Island but highlights the province's efforts to diversify its economic activities [2].

References:
[1] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/bellisland-ferry-issues-1.7589347
[2] https://finance.yahoo.com/news/northern-shield-completes-3-000-120000701.html