WATCH ABOVE: It was an historic moment in Saint John Tuesday as the Fundy Rose made her first trip. As Global’s Andrew Cromwell reports the trip was enjoyed by both old and young alike.
SAINT JOHN, N.B.- With several large blasts of her horn, the Fundy Rose began to make her way out of Saint John harbour this morning for her inaugural trip across the Bay of Fundy.
The ferry is the replacement for the aging Princess of Acadia, and has been tied up at the port for the past several days undergoing some last minute adjustments.
Vehicles of all shapes and sizes were waiting in the fog well before the 8am departure time. Passengers say they understand the ferry’s importance to the region.
“Because we have to have it to go to Boston and stuff all the time,” said long-haul trucker Frank Stewart. “Get us up and down the roads and save us time from driving around and all this stuff. So its very important, very crucial.”
Another passenger, Kathy Barnett, was travelling with family to a wedding in Nova Scotia. Their group included a four-month-old and an octogenarian who were both anxious to get their trip started.
“My uncle and aunt are here from Ontario and he’s 89”, said Barnett
They lucked into getting on this first trip. “We had heard it might be open when we booked for today, but then we weren’t so sure, and we just heard yesterday morning that it was going to run today.”
It’s also a big deal for the company operating the ferry .
“Its the start of a new chapter,” said Don Cormier of Bay Ferries. “Definitely an historical occasion, our inaugural sailing of the Fundy Rose, so we’re looking forward to continuing that safe, reliable service that’s been offered on the Bay of Fundy for many decades.”
“Almost a cruise experience. Its quite a beautiful ship, ” said Cormier.
The Princess of Acadia will make a final tour of Saint John Harbour tomorrow for invited guests, and then will be tied up until the government decides her future.
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