P.E.I. ferry problem: 3 options for repairing MV Holiday Island

As travellers between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S., anxiously await full, two-ferry service, Northumberland Ferries revealed three options about how to proceed with repairing the MV Holiday Island.

• Northumberland Ferries says MV Holiday Island won't enter service as planned

Don Cormier, vice-president of operations and safety management with Northumberland Ferries, said it is not clear how long repairs to the MV Holiday Island, will take.

Anaval architect firm did a comprehensive survey of the vessel and outlined three options for the company.

1. Get the work that needs to be done done

The company could just repair the sections that require immediate work, and get the ferry back in service sooner. The issue is it will need repairs again in a few years.

2. Get a bit more work done

The company could also broaden the scope of the first option since repairs are already being done and repair the areas they know will need to be fixed within the next two to three years.

3. Get it all done

The company could go even further thanthe first two options and repair the areas they know will need to be fixed within the next five to seven years.

Decision to be made with Transport Canada

"Obviously each one of those scenarios requires more time and money. That's why a decision on what needs to be done needs to be done collaboratively with Transport Canada," said Cormier.

"They [the federal government] know the urgency of making these decisions, and they're working very diligently to make a decision and to secure the funding needed to get the vessel back in service,"

He wouldn't disclose how much each option would cost.

• Plans in the works for extra P.E.I. - Nova Scotia sailings
• Trucking, tourism could be hit by ferry troubles