The MV Holiday Island will likely remain moored for the rest of the season due to the fire that began in┬аthe ship’s engine room Friday.
Northumberland Ferries vice-president Don Cormier said at a press briefing with government officials and first responders Sunday that the engine room hasn’t been looked at for damage because the ship itself is being assessed for stability.
But officials with Transport Canada said they expect the ship to be unavailable┬аfor the rest of the summer and they’re exploring ways to replace the service.
Earlier on Sunday, Northumberland Ferries announced service between┬аP.E.I. and Nova Scotia won’t resume on Monday.
The company┬аis now aiming to restart travel┬аbetween Caribou, N.S., and Wood Islands, P.E.I., with the MV Confederation starting Tuesday morning.
Northumberland┬аFerries said┬аthe cancellation┬аis due to the “ongoing recovery efforts and customer care” related to the MV Holiday Island, which had to be evacuated two days ago due to a fire.
The Holiday Island is primarily used during the peak season, performing four round trips per day.
Cormier said that the Confederation has the ability to handle more trips than previously scheduled. He said it was able to handle about 85 per cent of┬аnormal traffic during a service disruption in 2016.
On Saturday, the company said it believed the fire to have been contained in the engine room and the ship’s funnels.┬а
‘No obvious damage’ to vehicles
Tugboats successfully towed the ship into a harbour berth in┬аWood Islands┬аon Sunday morning.
On Sunday afternoon, passenger vehicles could be seen rolling off of the┬аferry. Cormier said that the removal┬аwould probably be completed Sunday afternoon┬аand that there appeared to be “no obvious damage” to the vehicles.
Eighty-three vehicles were on the ship. Northumberland Ferries said Saturday all pets were rescued and there was no livestock or dangerous cargo on board.
Cars rolling off the ferry now. Some needed help from a tow truck. Update coming from federal government at 3 pm. <a href=”https://t.co/37GzJdGmBH”>pic.twitter.com/37GzJdGmBH</a>
—@TonyDavisCBC
Some of the passengers were waiting at the Wood Islands harbour on Sunday to check on their vehicles and┬аbelongings.
A total of 258 people┬аwere evacuated from the ship as it was making its way toward Wood Islands on Friday, with no major injuries reported.
A protective barrier has been placed around the ship in case of any fuel or oil leaks.
A Canadian┬аCoast Guard environmental response team has been surveying the area for potential leaks. The coast guard said no pollution has been observed and that it remains hopeful no leaks will occur.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has been investigating the fire. It said a┬аministerial observer has been assigned to help identify potential hazards and advise on regulatory issues.
It┬аsaid the ship is inspected annually by a classification society on its behalf, with Transport Canada also carrying out regular inspections. The Holiday Island was last inspected on May 11.
Cormier said the Confederation could resume service once the environmental protection barriers are removed.
Northumberland Ferries said it will give a further┬аupdate on Monday regarding resumption of service.
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