Is Gloucester/Shelburne Ferry Service Still Afloat by Shelly Hipson

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Is Gloucester - Shelburne Ferry Service Still Afloat?

by Shelly Hipson December 17th, 2001 Shelburne, N.S. - The Mayor of Shelburne, Nova Scotia, Parker Comeau, and the Mayor of Gloucester, Massachusetts, Bruce Tobey, have conflicting views on whether a ferry service will connect these two seaports.

The Gloucester International Ferry Demand Study completed in February, 2000 by Louis Berger Group Inc., an international engineering consulting company, proved the operation was viable but has failed to attract any private investors for the past two years. The project is going into its sixth year with no real accomplishments.

"This project has been long on promises and short on delivery. I would have hoped that if the project had legs, a private sector operator would have picked up on it by now. Since that hasn’t happened, color me skeptical," said Mayor Tobey.

Mayor Tobey has suggested on several occasions that no more public money should be spent on the project. "It's either a go or it isn't, and I don't think it is. It certainly won't be running to Gloucester by May, 2002." says Mayor Tobey.

However, Shelburne Mayor Comeau says the start date of May, 2002 is possible. "The ferry could operate out of a temporary structure and it would be chartered, not purchased. Those that are suppose to have the expertise in this field are telling us that the structure comes last," says Mayor Comeau.

There are no private investors, hence no money for the project. And The Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, ACOA, the federal government funding agency that could help with the project wants to know how the Shelburne/Gloucester service would impact the ferry services between Yarmouth and Maine.

Roy Jamieson, Communications Officer for the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency says that none of the parties involved with the project have made contact with Customs to determine the service. He suggests that time would be running out to start a new service by May, 2002.