New Ferry Service To Begin May 1st, 2002 by Rob Gorham

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New Ferry Service To Begin May 1st, 2002!

by Rob Gorham December 20th, 2000 Shelburne, N.S. - A new high speed ferry service between the ports of Shelburne, Nova Scotia and Gloucester, Massachusetts will commence on May 1, 2002, a spokesman for the project investors told Shelburne town council last week.

Gene Hartigan, project developer for the consortium Atlantic Shores Developments, also told the council, via a telephone conference call, that the new high speed ferry for the service could be constructed in Nova Scotia.

In an exclusive interview with Outdoor Nova Scotia, Mr. Hartigan explained he would like to see the ferry built in Halifax at the Irving Shipyard. He said he has had talks with both Nova Scotia Premier John Hamm and Economic Development Minister Gordon Balser about the project.

"I think everyone is coming onboard," he said.

Meanwhile, Shelburne Mayor P.G. Comeau welcomed the announcement. The mayor said there is a lot of work to be done before the service begins. In addition to constructing the new ferry, terminal infrastructure has to be built in both towns. Mayor Comeau noted that $400,000 (US) had already been set aside for the engineering work.

The ferry construction costs could run as high as $62 million (US) Mayor Comeau said. He also explained that the new ferry would probably be built in Nova Scotia because there would be problems finding skilled workers in Massachusetts. The unemployment rate in the state is about 2%.

The new ferry, to be built this spring, will accommodate 450 passengers and 200 automobiles. The ferry will make daily roundtrips during the peak tourism season, leaving Gloucester in the morning, arriving in Shelburne in the afternoon, and returning to Gloucester that evening.

The Massachusetts State Department of Transport has agreed to cover any operating losses the ferry may incur during the first two years of operation. However, Mayor Comeau said the operators are convinenced the new service could turn a profit in 12 months.