SYDNEY, N.S. – Marine Atlantic will sail into a new era of ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia next month with the delivery of the first of its two new vessels.
Two ferries are being converted in Germany as part of a five-year charter agreement with the right to extend the deal over two five-year periods.
Marine Atlantic also has the right to buy the vessels.
Members of Marine Atlantic’s working group have travelled to a shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, to see the conversion of the first ferry, the Blue Puttees.
The conversion involves shortening both vessels, putting in additional topsides for customer spaces, new bow thrusters and new double tier and bow loading ramps.
Once the Blue Puttees leaves dry dock, the second ferry – the Highlanders – will begin its refit.
Capt. Peter Adams, Marine Atlantic’s director of fleet operations, was involved in inspections of the work.
"We are quite pleased with the progress," Adams said from Germany. "The shipyard is doing a very good job completing all the tasks on time."
Both the Blue Puttees and Highlanders will have 96 cabins – double what was available on the newly retired MV Caribou and MV Joseph and Clara Smallwood, as well as 40 per cent more vehicle capacity.
They will also feature 500 reclining chairs, including a premium seating lounge. New entertainment systems will be installed in cabins and seating areas to allow passengers to use headphones to listen to music or watch television.
The ferries will also have animal kennels for passengers travelling with pets.
Wayne Follett, Marine Atlantic’s president and CEO, said planning for a new terminal for North Sydney will commence in the new year.
"Within a few years the old terminal will be taken down and a new one constructed," he said.
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