STRAITS FERRY QAJAQ W TO REVERT TO WINTER SCHEDULE
Passenger and vehicle traffic rebound in 2021

(Happy Valley-Goose Bay) – As of Saturday, January 8, the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service will revert to the winter schedule. Under the winter schedule, the Qajaq W will overnight at Blanc Sablon and complete one daily round-trip crossing between Blanc Sablon and St. Barbe until the spring schedule resumes on May 1. The winter schedule is as follows (all times are Newfoundland Standard Time):

• Depart Blanc Sablon daily at 8:00 AM
• Depart St. Barbe daily at 10:30 AM

COVID TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE
COVID travel restrictions which were reinstated in December with the arrival of the Omicron variant, will remain in place. These restrictions will be evaluated as public health guidance evolves.

• All passengers who enter the ticket office at St. Barbe or Blanc Sablon must wear a face mask and practice physical distancing. Passengers must use hand sanitizer once they enter the ticket office.
• Walk-on passengers will not be permitted.
• All passengers must remain in their vehicle for the duration of the crossing.
• Passengers who leave their vehicle to use the car deck washroom must wear a face mask and practice physical distancing while on the car deck.
• The preferred payment method is debit or credit card. LMI crew will be available on deck to provide assistance.
  

“These measures are intended to ensure that there is minimal contact between passengers and crew,” says LMI General Manager Captain Austin Daley. “We have also put additional measures in place to further reduce interaction among the LMI crew. Labrador Marine is taking every possible step to ensure that this essential service continues uninterrupted.”

TRAVEL REBOUNDS IN 2021

Despite the continued presence of COVID in 2021, relaxed travel restrictions in the province resulted in increased personal and commercial traffic over 2020.

• Passenger traffic up 61.8%
• Private vehicle traffic up 59.9%
• Commercial traffic up 20.39%

STATEMENT FROM LABRADOR MARINE INC. REGARDING COVID ALERT LEVEL 3
RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE ON THE STRAIT OF BELLE ISLE FERRY SERVICE
​
Labrador Marine Inc. (LMI) announced today that travel restrictions put in place on the Strait of Belle Isle ferry service on December 20 will remain in place now that the province has moved to Covid Alert Level 3. The restrictions require all passengers to remain in their vehicle for the duration of the crossing. Walk-on traffic is not permitted.

LMI put the restrictions in place immediately after it was notified that passengers and crew who travelled on the 1:00 pm run on December 14 had to arrange for COVID testing. During the first crossing after the notice from public health, restrictions were implemented and will remain in place until further notice.

• The limit on passengers has been reduced to 150.
• Vehicle space has been reduced to utilize the upper deck only.
• All passengers must remain in vehicles for the crossing.
• No walk-on passengers are permitted.
• With limited space available, reservations are highly recommended.
• All passengers must wear a mask on the vessel and in the ticket office.
• Passengers must use the provided hand sanitizer when they enter ticket offices.
• It is preferred that payment be made by credit or debit card.

Measures to ensure that all passengers remain in vehicles and the elimination of walk-on traffic will isolate crew from passengers and ensure there is no interaction during loading/unloading and crossings.

Testing of the Qajaq W crew is complete. All tests were negative.

Labrador Marine Inc. thanks passengers for their continued cooperation. Our goal is to carry out this essential service while keeping travellers and our communities safe. Travel protocols are subject to change. Travellers are advised to monitor the Labrador Marine website for the latest travel information at www.labradormarine.com.
​
For further information, contact:
Captain Austin Daley
General Manager, LMI
[email protected]