Cat Ferry enters the water, Transportation Minister hopeful for big year

By Andrew Pinsent and Chris Halef

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia’s Transportation Minister says the Cat ferry looks ready to go after Bay Ferries Ltd. announced the high speed ferry has been re-floated as it takes over the Yarmouth to Maine service next month.

The ship was undergoing extensive repairs and upgrades, which were finished in early April, and was officially put in the water on Wednesday in Charleston, South Carolina.

Minister Geoff McLellan said the news is welcome and great news from a marketing perspective, as he said everyone is hopeful the ferry has a strong year, with over $30 million in government subsidies provided to the service.

“She looks like she’s ready to roll,” McLellan said, adding he’s hopeful Bay Ferries can deliver strong numbers for the upcoming season.

Despite word last week that the company would not be releasing ticket sales, McLellan said he is optimistic they can be published midway through the season.

“Every little aspect of this will be scrutinized, not that that’s a terrible thing but my perspective on it is lets get to the halfway point of the season and see how it goes,” he said.

“I think at the halfway point is a reasonable time to put those numbers out.”

The Cat ferry is completing regulatory inspections and sea trials before service begins next month, but there’s no scheduled date yet for its first journey to Yarmouth.

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