Rumors

The rumor mill about the Yarmouth-Portland ferry has been huge around Southwestern Nova Scotia over the past few weeks as Bay Ferries Limited is still in the process of trying to find a ferry for the service.  One thing is certain, it will not be the Fundy Rose which connects Digby and Saint John as the rumor has been around for a few weeks.  The Federal Government (Transport Canada) owns the Fundy Rose and Bay Ferries is the operator (both Cat ferries were owned and operated by BFL if my memory is correct). I personally do not see the former Blue Star Ithaki on a run to New England in the spring.  She will still continue to ply the waters of the Bay of Fundy between Digby and Saint John for many years (if not decades) to come.  Another one was the return of the Princess of Acadia on her old run, also, just speculation.  A more than likely scenario due to the vessel's age is, sad to say, a trip to the scrapyard or to be used for static display. (as I said before I will not cover the future of the former Digby-Saint John ferry past her life on the Bay of Fundy in this blog and will maintain that)  In my mind, these are all just rumors, speculation, and innuendo that has been floating around the area in recent weeks as no vessel has been identified yet and I feel confident an announcement will be made in the new year and a smaller, more appropriate vessel than Nova Star can be found.  And it appears to be slim pickings.

As for a run to Bar Harbor Maine, I looked on Google maps recently and the RORO ramp that has been around since the introduction of the second Bluenose ferry (1983-1997) has recently been removed with only the pilings remaining.  Also, the old terminal building would need a lot of work before passengers could use the facility.