Mechanical glitch again stalls ferry service that links Nova Scotia with P.E.I.

The company that operates the ferry service that links Nova Scotia with eastern Prince Edward Island says the MV Confederation -- the only ferry serving that route -- was pulled from service Sunday because of a mechanical breakdown that may not be fixed until Saturday.

The ferry had resumed its route between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., on Saturday after a two-week absence, again due to a mechanical glitch.

Northumberland Ferries Limited issued a statement Monday saying service had been disrupted by a "further mechanical issue."

Senior vice-president Mark Wilson said the parts needed to repair the ship had yet to arrive, and he confirmed the company expects repairs will be completed no later than July 8.

Wilson says the company is not accepting bookings before that date as a precaution and confirmed all customers with reservations on sailings up to and including July 7 will receive a refund.

He says a second vessel, the MV Saaremaa 1, won't be available to handle peak-season traffic until the middle of July.

"We fully understand how much disruption this causes to our customers, and we are very sorry for this inconvenience," he said in a statement. "We are making every effort to safely resume service as soon as possible."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2023.