ST. JOHN'S, N.L. -- An inspection of the Marine Atlantic ferry Blue Puttees at drydock in Halifax has confirmed the ferry will be out for most of this month.
Divers have assessed the extent of the damage to the vessel's bow and officials say the temporary plan, which involves the elimination of the Argentia run, will remain in place until around the Labour Day weekend.
Marine Atlantic spokesman Darrell Mercer says passengers who paid for a ticket on the Argentia run will be fully refunded and offered a $200 travel voucher because of additional costs in getting to Port aux Basques.
The ferry struck a wharf and ran aground in thick fog last Wednesday while leaving Port aux Basques in southwestern Newfoundland for Cape Breton.
No injuries were reported among the 398 passengers and 91 crew members aboard.
Travellers were stranded for several hours waiting for high tide to help move the ferry off the wharf so it could sail back to the main dock.
