High winds cancel some P.E.I. ferry crossings

Northumberland Ferries is shutting down the operations of one of its two ferries Thursday due to high winds on its run between Nova Scotia and P.E.I.

MV Saaremaa, a temporary replacement ferry, is less suited to the sometimes rough conditions on the Northumberland Strait than the MV Confederation, which will complete its runs as normal.

As a consequence, there will be just four return crossings between Wood Islands and Caribou.

Environment Canada has issued a strong wind warning for the Northumberland Strait. In the eastern half, winds are expected to blow at about 50 km/h throughout the day.

The Saaremaa was brought into service on the strait to replace the MV Holiday Island, which caught fire during a run in 2022. The ferry was beyond repair, and had to be scrapped.

The permanent replacement for the Holiday Island is not expected to be ready before 2028.