Technical problems cancel some ferry crossings between P.E.I. and N.S.

There will be fewer ferry crossings between Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., until further notice as technical problems have put the MV Confederationout of service.

Northumberland Ferries Ltd. says there is a problemwith the vessel'spropulsion system controls. Until further notice, the ferry MV Holiday Island will run five departures from each port in Nova Scotia and P.E.I.

With theCavendishBeach Music Festival wrapping up on Sunday, the company expectsferry service on Mondayto be busy.

Some reservations affected

Customers with reservations will be contacted about moving their reservations around because of the increased traffic, but all of them should be able to travel on Monday.

"The vast majority of them will be inconvenienced by about 90 minutes," said DonaldCormier, vice president of operations and general manager.

Cormier said the mechanical issue was discovered around 1 p.m. on Saturday.He said the ferry needs a new electrical control motor for one of its propeller systems.

"It's not a common problem, not one that we would have anticipated," he said.

Repair shouldn't take long

Cormier said they're ordered anew partfrom its European manufacturer.Atthe earliest, it could arrive in Halifax on Monday late in the day.

Once the part arrives, he said it only takes about 30 minutes to one hour to install. If all goes well, the ferry could be back in service in a couple of days, he said on Sunday.

NorthumberlandFerries has released an updated list of departure times for the Holiday Island.

Leaving Caribou, N.S.:

• 8:00 a.m.
• 11:15 a.m.
• 2:45 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m.
• 9:00 p.m.

Leaving Wood Islands P.EI.:

• 6:30 a.m.
• 9:30 a.m.
• 1:00 p.m.
• 4:30 p.m.
• 7:30 p.m

The company said all other previously scheduled departures for July9 have been cancelled. Customers with reservations on cancelled sailings will be contacted and will be able to cross on the next available sailing.

If an alternate arrangements cannot be made for customers, their reservations will be fully refunded.