New regulations must be developed to ensure that provincial ferries are given preference at docking facilities normally used by the provincial ferry fleet, says Opposition Leader Yvonne Jones.

The Apollo, the ferry that connects Labrador with the Island portion of the province, was unable to dock in St. Barbe yesterday afternoon because an Ultramar oil tanker had tied up at the ferry dock and refused to move. The Captain of the oil tanker cited safety concerns related to Hurricane Kyle and refused to move to an adjacent dock. The Apollo, after completing its crossing and unable to dock, was forced to sail back across the Strait of Belle Isle to Blanc Sablon in the same winds that were cited as a safety concern for the oil tanker.

“It is simply unacceptable that provincial ferries are not given priority when docking at traditional departure and arrival ports in the province,” said Ms. Jones. “For people needing to use this service, this is part of the provincial highway system. I was shocked to learn yesterday that no regulations are in place giving docking priority to any of the provincial ferries in Newfoundland and Labrador and it is possible for other vessels to tie up at those docks and refuse to move.

“There were passengers on the affected Apollo crossing that had specialist appointments in St. John’s and Corner Brook that had been scheduled for months. The situation that took place yesterday forced the cancellation of some of those appointments and caused a tremendous amount of inconvenience and stress to the passengers.

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