Northumberland Ferries Limited update on MV Confederation

MV Confederation return to service:

MV Confederation remains out of service with repairs to the bow visor proceeding ahead of schedule.

NFL investigated the safety and feasibility of returning MV Confederation to service without the bow visor in place. An internal risk assessment was conducted to determine whether it was possible to safely return to service with one end of the main vehicle deck remaining open. It was determined that this would create a safety risk of high consequence because this piece of equipment renders the vehicle decks watertight. NFL developed proposed control measures to mitigate this risk but the timeline to carry out further numerical analysis to meet TC regulatory approval meant that the implementation of a solution would have corresponded with the visor repair.

The shipyard repair schedule shows work being completed by December 3. Assuming this occurs, MV Confederation will return to service December 6. If the remaining work is completed earlier, MV Confederation will return to service as soon as safely possible to do so.

Upon returning to service, MV Confederation will operate a daily four round-trip schedule until the season finishes on December 20.

MV Confederation Collision Investigation update:

Work continues to finalize the investigation into Confederation’s collision with the dolphin structure at Wood Islands on September 15. We are now in a position to state that mechanical failure was not a contributing factor to the incident. Once the investigation is fully complete, effort will be directed to address the causes so that NFL can ensure that lessons are learned from the event.

We will keep you informed of any further developments at www.ferries.ca/ns-pei-ferry