(Photo via GovNL.)
The mayor of St. Brendan’s is calling it the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”
The island relies on ferry service and the replacement vessel for the Grace Sparkes which can carry 80 people and 16 vehicles, has a much lower deck capacity.
Mayor Bill Broderick says efforts to convince the department responsible to add another trip have “fallen on deaf ears.”
That, coupled with the fact that the island currently has no medical service, is of great concern to residents.
The Department of Transportation says the Sound of Islay can accommodate nine or ten vehicles, and can transport one large commercial vehicle or transport truck.
The department says it received Broderick’s request to add a 10:30 a.m. run, but a “thorough review” determined that current demand does not necessitate an additional run. Since the Sound of Islay has been in service, there has only been one sailing when the first departure from St. Brendan’s was at full capacity, and no vehicles have been left behind on the morning departure since the vessel began services. The department says some residents may choose to line up early to secure a spot on the morning run, but the data does not indicate a systemic issue with capacity.