'Morale is down' in the wake of failed ferry shuffle, says Wabana mayor

While the MV Astron W ferry remains on the Fogo Island-Change Islands-Farewell route, the mayors of the towns at each end of last week's situation say they haven't heard a word from the province.

Newfoundland and Labrador's Department of Transportation and Infrastructure announced Friday evening that the vessel would stay put after a lengthy protest against its decision to temporarily reassign it to the Bell Island-Portugal Cove route.

Wabana Mayor Philip Tobin said the situation almost pitted the two towns against each other.

"Morale is down … It's frustrating for a lot of residents," Tobin told CBC News.

"We need to work together and hold our government officials accountable for this ferry system."

The rural community, which had been relying on the St. John's area for gasoline, was without the MV Beaumont Hamel for almost a week before it was repaired over the weekend — leaving it with one crowded vessel for days on end.

Tobin said the problem of aging vessels has been deeply affecting his community, but he's still been left in the dark since last week.

He added that the island's main ferry, the MV Legionnaire, has been down for months with no exact repair deadline.

"Communication with government officials, it's not getting better, it's getting worse. And I think they need to be more transparent, more open with leaders in the communities and, you know, work on strategies," said Tobin.

Fogo Island Mayor Andrew Shea said he found out the government was no longer planning to reassign the Astron W to Bell Island from the media on Friday, not government officials.

"The transportation committee hasn't heard … anything about the ferry, whether she's just holding out till we get it cleared up or whether it's, you know, permanent for the summer," said Shea.

The MV Veteran, the ferry that typically serves Fogo Island and Change Islands, went out of service on Friday at noon. It has since been repaired and is back on the water.

Even so, Shea said it's time for a swing vessel that can handle overflow traffic.

On Friday, Transportation Minister Elvis Loveless said he is looking to issue an expression of interest for another swing vessel.

Shea said the region's busiest season is coming up in August and ferry problems might deter them if the province doesn't step in.

"We've had all kinds of strange things happening from lack of communication," said Shea. "We can't have the boat stopping those people from coming."

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