Ferry service between P.E.I. and N.S. cancelled until Wednesday

The cancellation of ferry service between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia has been extended through Monday.

Crossings were cancelledSaturday after theM.V. Confederation experiencedtechnical difficulties, and Sunday morning, Northumberland Ferries Ltd. announced the cancellations would continue "up to and including Tuesday."

In an email to CBC on Saturday, Mark Wilson, senior vice-president of Northumberland Ferries, said the issue is "not serious" and involves the replacement of an engine part.

In a followup email on Sunday morning, he said the replacement part is not available locally.

"Until we receive the part we won't be able to sail," Wilson said. "We are working to get the part as soon as possible but won't know delivery timings until Monday."

It's the second time this month crossings have been cancelled due to technical difficulties. The issues are not related, Wilson said.

TheConfederation is the only ferry currently in operation between Wood Islands, P.E.I., and Caribou, N.S. MV Holiday Island was put out of service permanently after a fire onboard last July.

• MV Saaremaa 1 will return to service between P.E.I. and Nova Scotia this summer

MV Saaremaa 1, on loan from Quebec, replaced the Holiday Island last summer, and is scheduled to do the same during the peak tourism season this summer.

'Nail in the coffin'

The cancellations left some travellers scrambling to find alternatives.

ColinBruce left his car in Caribouwhen he visited the Island from Halifax this weekend. He said now he'll have to take a Maritime Bus to New Glasgow, and then a taxi to Caribou.

Bruce saidit's not a great start to the tourism season.

"Especially coming right out of COVID, people are still getting back on their feet tourist-wise and this is just another nail in the coffin for small-town tourism operators in P.E.I. and Nova Scotia alike."