What Crew Members Say About Northumberland

The ferry 'Northumberland' experienced significant delays on July 16, 2023, leading to the cancellation of two key sailings between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. The affected sailings included the 5 p.m. departure from Caribou, Nova Scotia, and the 6:30 p.m. crossing from Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island. The disruption was attributed to a malfunctioning bow visor, where one of the four crucial metal pins failed to release upon the vessel's arrival in Caribou around noon. Despite the crew's attempts to remedy the situation by unlocking the door, alternative arrangements had to be made, allowing the 'Confederation' to dock first and offload its passengers. The 'Northumberland' began its journey from Wood Islands at 11:45 a.m. and was scheduled to disembark passengers in Caribou at 1 p.m. However, by 4:30 p.m., the passengers remained onboard, and the crew provided complimentary food and drinks during the unexpected delay. The ferry was eventually navigated back to Wood Islands, where it had to reverse unload its cargo, including cars and trucks, through the operational bow visor. Just before 5 p.m., docking was successfully completed, and the unloading process commenced. On July 17, 2023, the 'Northumberland' returned to operation, as it was deemed safe to sail using three of the four metal pins along with a temporary replacement pin, restoring the essential ferry service for the region.

On January 26, 2025, the MV Northumberland, previously known as the Elbe ferry Fanafjord, docked in Pictou. This vessel has been procured by the Government of Canada as a crucial interim replacement for the former Holiday Island ferry on the busy Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island to Caribou, Nova Scotia route. Following its arrival, the Northumberland will undergo final refurbishment efforts to ensure it meets all operational standards. Its inclusion will provide a dependable and safe two-vessel service between the islands, significantly benefiting travelers and local communities. The ferry is anticipated to be fully operational in time for the start of the 2025 operating season. For more details, visit the official report featuring photographs at https://www.canada.ca/en/transport-canada/news/2025/01/canada-welcomes-the-arrival-of-the-mv-northumberland.html.

On March 14, the ferry formerly known as 'Fanafjord' reclaimed its original name, marking a nostalgic return for the vessel. Stationed in Haugesund since December 20, 2021, the ship is now on the market and scheduled for relocation to Molde on March 21. This development adds a new chapter to the 'Fanafjord's' storied history in maritime travel.

The ferry service operated by "Greenferry I" between Brunsbüttel and Cuxhaven has officially halted operations as of December 12, 2023. The decision follows the rejection of a Corona hardship aid application the company filed for earlier in June, which totaled €800,000. This financial struggle led to Elbferry's recent insolvency filing at the Cuxhaven district court just weeks prior. With hopes dwindling for a sustainable future for the ferry service, the decision was made to return the chartered vessel to its Norwegian owner after less than a year in operation. The ferry, which commenced service in early March during a nationwide lockdown, was intended to connect Brunsbüttel in Schleswig-Holstein and Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony on a three-hour schedule. Local leaders and economic officials have expressed their concerns, highlighting the considerable impact of the pandemic on passenger and transport volumes, which ultimately did not meet projections. Cuxhaven's Mayor Uwe Santjer (SPD) noted, "The suspension of the ferry line clearly indicates that the pandemic has significantly contributed to lower than expected traffic." Economics Minister Bernd Buchholz (FDP) stated that while a ferry connection is desirable, it must be economically viable. The Ministry of Economic Affairs in Kiel indicated that the hardship commission faced complex decisions, ultimately concluding that economic and legal factors did not justify the use of taxpayer funds. The managing director of Elbferry, Ahlers, revealed that the service was planned at the end of 2020, at a time when the impending low utilization due to COVID-19 was unforeseen.