Travel
Northumberland Ferries Suspends Operations
Between Caribou NS/Wood Islands, PEI
Holiday Island On Fire, Near Wood Islands PEI (Source: Alex Johnson Used With Permission )
The MV Holiday Island left Caribou, Nova Scotia at 10 am for a scheduled 75 minute sailing to Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island. The fire started at approximately 11 am during the final minutes of the voyage.
Vice President for Northumberland Ferries Limited, Don Cormier, issued the following statement regarding the fire Friday morning onboard the MV Holiday Island:
“Holiday Island was making a scheduled 10am crossing from Caribou to Wood Islands. Just after 11am nearing approach into Wood Islands, the ship experienced a fire in the Engine Room. Ship’s crew and safety systems contained the fire. Captain took necessary precautions and dropped both anchors and directed the ship onto a soft shoal outside the harbour entrance to Wood Islands. There are no reported injuries to customers or crew. Joint Rescue Coordination Center has been informed. We are currently in the process of safely evacuating the passengers in a controlled manner. This is being coordinated with JRCC, Canadian Coast Guard, and local authorities. Out of an abundance of caution and to focus on safely getting the passengers ashore, we are suspending all operations today on the Wood Islands-Caribou service. We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers and our focus at this time is the safety of our passengers, ensuring our passengers are safely evacuated ashore and the safety of our crew.”
As of the supper hour, a source has confirmed to USPA 24 News, that 182 passengers have been safely evacuated without reports of injury, while 18 crew members and seven local firefighters remain on board.
Prime Minster Justin Trudeau, was visiting Prince Edward Island on Friday and said, “I want to thank first responders who responded extremely quickly, and there were local fishers involved in helping people out. This was a really scary situation for everyone involved, so our thoughts are with them. We’re working to give them support needed. I just spoke with Premier King, who I assured would have full federal cooperation on anything that’s necessary."
In a social media post, Premier King, said, "Crews from the Red Cross and other emergency organizations are on the ground helping passengers with anything they might need, including accommodations, supplies and transportation. These crews will continue to support the passengers and their families in the days ahead."
Northumberland Ferries Limited has confirmed that operations will not resume on Saturday, July 23rd and advise anyone with a reservation to check www.ferries.ca for the most up-to-date information.
USPA 24 News will provide updates on this story as further information becomes available.
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