Bond returning in June

LEWISPORTE -

Anyone looking to travel or ship materials from the Lewisporte Marine Atlantic wharf to Labrador can do so during the regular season arrival of the M.V. Sir Robert Bond in mid-June.

The Bond is currently servicing Corner Brook to Blanc Sablon, taking over the route in the M.V. Apollo's absence with two round trips per week for eight weeks. Once the Apollo returns from its refit, the service will resume between St. Barbe and Blanc Sablon, weather permitting.

The Bond will then be taken out of service for its own annual refit until mid-June.

Transportation and Works Minister Tom Hedderson said the pilot project will not impact the future role of Lewisporte in the coastal Labrador marine service.

"There is no specific date as of right now," said Mr. Hedderson. "Basically, we are looking at the same as last year for the Bond's return."

Mr. Hedderson said the Bond is currently doing a great job in its role as fill-in for the Apollo.

"There is a lot of excitement in southern Labrador and other parts of Labrador because the Bond fit the bill this particular year," he said. "She was available and we had the facilities down in Corner Brook and this winter weather has made things easier."

Mr. Hedderson said the department's focus is now on reviewing a schedule for release in the near future.

"Anytime you are putting out a schedule you have to make sure things run smoothly and the people at Marine Services have put a schedule together for me to review," he said. "However, before I can sign that particular schedule off I just need them to give me the rationale."

In the meantime, Mr. Hedderson said anyone making booking for the upcoming season can do so in confidence.

"We understand with people shipping freight, and the tourists are just as important, but we have a very limited shipping season and with people needing building supplies and so on," he said. "We need to give them a good advanced notice and we plan on doing so."