Passengers stuck on N.S.-P.E.I. ferry for hours due to technical problem with newest vessel

Stephen Brun · CBC News

· Posted: Jul 16, 2025 3:35 PM EDT | Last Updated: 4 hours ago

Northumberland Ferries Ltd. cancelled 2 crossings betwixt Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia connected Wednesday owed to a occupation with the company's newest vessel. 

On its website, NFL said an "ongoing method issue" with MV Northumberland led to the cancellation of the 5 p.m. departure from Caribou, N.S., and the 6:30 p.m. crossing leaving Wood Islands, P.E.I.

Jeff Joyce, the wide manager of Northumberland Ferries, told CBC News that 1 of 4 metallic pins that unafraid the ferry's bow visor — the ample doorway that raises to fto vehicles drive connected and disconnected the vessel — would not merchandise arsenic the vas arrived successful Caribou astir midday Wednesday.  

Crews tried unsuccessfully to unlock the door, but yet had to determination the Northumberland retired of the mode truthful that the company's different ferry, MV Confederation, could dock and driblet disconnected its load of passengers. 

Service volition resume Thursday, says NFL

The Northumberland near P.E.I. bound for Nova Scotia astatine 11:45 a.m. and was owed to unload successful Caribou astir 75 minutes aft leaving the Island, oregon 1 p.m. As of 4:30 p.m., Northumberland's passengers were inactive onboard, with posts connected societal media saying they were being offered escaped nutrient and drinks as the vessel headed backmost to Wood Islands. 

Joyce said the vessel would have to crook astir to unload its complement of cars and trucks done the operational bow visor astatine the different end, meaning astatine slightest immoderate passengers would person to reverse retired of the ferry. 

Just earlier 5 p.m., helium confirmed the ferry had docked successful P.E.I. and unloading was underway.

Joyce said MV Northumberland volition beryllium successful work connected Thursday. He said it tin run with 3 of the 4 metallic pins, on with 1 impermanent pin.