What Crew Members Say About Highlander

On September 24, 2018, the ferry 'Highlanders' came to the rescue of a stranded sailboat near Cape Breton. The call for help was made by the yacht's skipper, who issued an emergency signal at 2:15 p.m. The 'Highlanders' had departed from Sydney, N.S., at 11:45 a.m., en route to Port aux Basques, when the Coast Guard alerted the ferry to a distressed vessel located approximately 20 nautical miles north of Sydney. Upon receiving the distress call, the captain of the 'Highlanders' promptly redirected the ferry to aid the yacht, which was incapacitated due to a malfunctioning engine and a significant hole in the hull, just above the waterline. By 5:15 p.m., the Canadian Coast Guard ship 'Spindrift' arrived on the scene and successfully towed the troubled sailboat back to Sydney. Initially, the skipper voiced his determination to remain on board, even as a Cormorant helicopter was dispatched to the area. The helicopter landed in Sydney as a precaution, ready to act should the situation escalate or if the skipper decided to evacuate amid the challenging conditions, which included waves reaching three meters. For further details and photographs of this remarkable rescue, visit: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/sailboat-rescue-1.4836238.

On April 4, 2017, the ferry "Highlanders" encountered a challenging predicament when it became trapped in thick ice off the coast of Cape Breton. In a heroic rescue effort, the ferry "Blue Puttees," which set sail from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, was dispatched to carve a path through the ice for the stranded vessel. The operation proved successful as the "Blue Puttees" reached the "Highlanders," which was carrying 209 passengers as well as 85 commercial trucks and 65 vehicles that were on their journey from North Sydney, Nova Scotia, to Newfoundland. Compounding the situation, worsening ice conditions were exacerbated by harsh winds pushing toward the coastline, making the rescue even more critical.

On May 26, 2015, Marine Atlantic made headlines by officially acquiring the 'Blue Puttees' and 'Highlanders,' two ferries that have been integral to the ferry service linking Newfoundland and Nova Scotia since their introduction in 2011. This significant move is part of a broader $375-million investment plan introduced by the federal government to bolster Marine Atlantic's operations. Each vessel was purchased for $100 million, reflecting a strategic effort by the Crown corporation to enhance its fleet for long-term service. The funding will not only cover the acquisition but will also support operating subsidies and various capital projects. For four years, both ferries have been chartered from Stena Line, facilitating travel between the Port aux Basques and North Sydney routes. Initially secured under a five-year charter agreement established in 2010, Marine Atlantic had the option for both an extension and eventual purchase, which it has now exercised. Additionally, in early February, Marine Atlantic announced an extension of the leasing agreement for the 'Atlantic Vision' until November 2017, with an investment of approximately $40 million. This latest acquisition marks another chapter in Marine Atlantic's ongoing effort to modernize its fleet and enhance operational efficiencies, following a previous five-year $521-million funding initiative initiated in 2010. This investment is expected to lead to improved vessel reliability, alongside increased capacity for both vehicles and passengers.