The September  Report of the Committee as compiled on Sept 15, 2004 is contained below. There have been few new developments since mid August.

1. FERRY SCHEDULE :

 THERE STILL HAS NOT BEEN ANY FEEDBACK FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF WORKS AND TRANSPORTATION ON ANY CHANGES OR OTHERWISE TO THE CURRENT SCHEDULE.

BUDGET 2004 HAD IDENTIFIED THE NEED FOR COST CONTROLS AND THE OPTION OF REDUCED TRIPS BY BOTH VESSELS WAS PRESENTED BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS

THE COMMITTEE IS STRONGLY OPPOSED TO ANY TRIP REDUCTIONS IN THE CURRENT SCHEDULE, EXCEPT FOR FLEXIBILITY TO CONSIDER FEWER TRIPS IN THE LATE FALL AND WINTER SEASON SCHEDULE WHEN DEMAND FOR THE SERVICE IS REDUCED SOMEWHAT. 

THE COMMITTEE HAS MET WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS AND ALTERNATE OPTIONS ARE BEING CONSIDERED IN LIEU OF SUGGESTIONS THAT TRIPS COULD BE DROPPED.

TWO VESSEL FERRY SERVICE YEAR ROUND IS THE MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE SERVICE

IT IS THE COMMITTEE'S POSITION THAT THE CONTINUED 12 MONTH OPERATION OF THE 2 FERRIES IS ENTRENCHED AS A BASIC CORE MINIMUM SERVICE LEVEL.

VESSEL REDUCTION HAS NOT BEEN BROUGHT TO THE TABLE BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AND THE COMMITTEE WOULD NOT ENTERTAIN ITS CONSIDERATION.

WE CAN ALL RELATE TO THE THE DISADVANTAGES AND DISRUPTION OF A ONE VESSEL SERVICE.    ( long waits, line-ups and frustrations, no service during noon period for close to 2 hours, difficulty getting to and from work,school and meetings, disruption of early morning service when one vessel has had to make an overnight medical emergency trip breaching crews hours of rest rules etc.)

HOWEVER MANAGEMENT EFFICIENCIES AND COST CONTROLS CAN HELP CONTROL COSTS.

SEVERAL LESS SAILINGS COULD BE CONSIDERED IN THE WINTERTIME SCHEDULE- (DECEMBER TO APRIL)  ESPECIALLY TO ALLOW THE VESSELS TO HAVE MAINTENANCE WORK PERFORMED DURING THE NORMAL SAILING DAY.

THERE ARE INDICATIONS THAT THE CREW SIZE OF THE BEAUMONT HAMEL IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REDUCED BY 1 PER SHIFT AND IN TURN THE PASSENGER CAPACITY OF THE FERRY DROPPED ACCORDINGLY.

ADDITIONALLY, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS HAVE ADVISED THAT SIGNIFICANT FUEL SAVINGS CAN BE ACHIEVED BY HAVING THE VESSELS TIE UP IN PORTUGAL COVE FOR FUELLING AND REDUCE THE COSTS OF BRINGING THE FUEL TRUCKS TO BELL ISLAND.THIS COULD INVOLVE A SCHEDULE CHANGE TO ALLOW FOR THE VESSELS AS REQUIRED TO BE TIED UP IN THE COVE WHILE NOT SAILING.

VEHICULAR TRAFFIC USE ON THE FERRIES REMAINS HIGH AND THE EARLY MORNING  WEEKDAY SAILINGS OF THE BEAUMONT HAMEL AT 720 AND 820 IS WELL USED AND THE COMMITTEE WOULD NOT WANT THIS EARLY SERVICE DROPPED GIVEN ITS PROVEN USE, NEED AND IMPORTANCE TO BELL ISLAND'S ECONOMY. ( ITS CONTINUANCE HOWEVER HAS BEEN RAISED AS AN ISSUE BY GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS)

FERRY TRIP REDUCTIONS WOULD BE PENNY WISE AND POUND FOOLISH AND WOULD LEAD TO LESS EMPLOYMENT AND BUSINESS ON AND OFF BELL ISLAND AND GREATER COSTS FOR GOVERNMENT DUE TO INCREASED INCOME SUPPORT ETC.

2. PLANS FOR NEW VESSEL TO REPLACE HAMILTON SOUND

The Committee has still not heard from Transportation Minister Rideout's on his commitment to present a ferry vessel replacement program before Cabinet for consideration.The Hamilton Sound which sails several months on the Bell Island service as a replacement is long overdue for replacement by a hoped for new 28 car ferry.
As witnessed in recent months despite a major refit,continuing breakdowns of the Beaumont Hamel is also an issue.

A construction start is needed in 2004 to have a new ferry by 2006.

3. SECURING STRIKE FREE FERRY SERVICE

The Committee is continuing its lobby to secure  strike free status for ferry services and designation of ferries as part of the Provincial highway system.

As previously advised, our Member, Minister Whalen has committed to use her best efforts to secure Cabinet support to achieve strike free status for Provincial ferries so as to avoid the a repeat of the April 2004 striking of the ferry service.

4. PROVINCIAL FERRY COALITION CONTINUES LONG WAIT FOR MEETING  WITH MINISTER

The newly formed Provincial Ferry Committee is still awaiting Minister Rideout's agreement to meet with the Executive of this newly formed Committee. The Committee is anxious to have a number of concerns addressed on ferry rates, vessel adequacy, improved scheduling etc.

5. COMMITTEE PUBLIC MEETING - NEAR FUTURE

The Committee executive will schedule a public meeting this Fall once new developments occur to address ongoing issues and welcomes your input and attendance.

6. FEEDBACK , INPUT AND SUPPORT WELCOMED

Please contact any of the following members with suggestions and concerns ( Chairperson David Brazil, Mayor Gosine. Dr. Laurie. Officer Boyd Merrill, Keith Kent, Tony Power, and consultant Ed Kent.

 Ferry users are invited to contact Minister Whalen's and Minister Rideout's Office to express your views on the ferry service and ferry issues and to support the efforts of the Committee.

The ferry service is the foundation of Bell Island's economy and we must be proactive to ensure the service meets our needs and promotes our economy.

Ed Kent