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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.
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] For immediate release, December 9th, 2021
LABRADOR MARINE INC. CONCLUDING 2021 COASTAL OPERATIONS Cargo and vehicle traffic set new records; passenger traffic exceeds pre-COVID level (Happy Valley-Goose Bay) – Labrador Marine Inc. (LMI) announced that with yesterday’s departure of the Kamutik W from Goose Bay for ports north to Nain, all cargo and freight will be delivered for the 2021 season. Cargo and private vehicle traffic set new records this year. Passenger traffic recovered from 2020 and surpassed the numbers for 2019, the season before the COVID pandemic. The volume of freight this year required an additional trip. The current voyage will conclude the 2021 coastal shipping season. The Kamutik W will layup in Lewisporte for the winter and undergo routine maintenance. 2021 SHIPPING SEASON A RECORD The 2021 shipping season was a success, with a 23.7% percent increase in shipments over 2019 and a 5.3% increase over 2020. Shipments included groceries and household supplies, as well as building materials and construction equipment. Tonnage Transported 2019 12,518 2020 14,696 2021 15,486 PASSENGER AND PRIVATE VEHICLE TRAFFIC Although some COVID-related passenger travel restrictions remained in place in 2021, including a continued ban on tourist travel, passenger numbers were at their highest in two years. Passenger traffic was up 37.9% over 2020 and 8.5% over 2019. As in 2020, LMI followed all public health regulations and operated safely. With the introduction of the Kamutik W to the coastal service in 2019, coastal residents were able to avail of the drive on-drive off service for their private vehicles for the first time. This has proven to be an important feature in the service provided by LMI. This year, 885 private vehicles were transported to and from the coast, an increase of 75.5% over 2020 and a 163.3% increase over 2019. Passengers Carried Private Vehicles Transported 2019 4008 336 2020 3154 504 2021 4350 885 SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS IN 2021 LMI and its sub-contractor, Nunatsiavut Marine Inc., made several investments in 2021 that enhanced service to coastal communities.
and south coasts,” stated LMI President and CEO Peter Woodward, “we want to thank our stakeholders, including the Nunatsiavut Government, Inuit Community Governments, the Innu Nation, and the NunatuKavut Community Council for their input into our 2021 operations. The increase in passenger vehicle traffic is indicative of the freedom gained by coastal residents since the service was inaugurated. LMI’s goal is to serve the coast efficiently and safely and I am proud to say that we accomplished those goals again in 2021. We look forward to doing that for many years to come.” “We have again delivered all freight and cargo by season’s end and helped facilitate the movement of residents to and from the coast,” stated LMI General Manager Captain Austin Daley. “We appreciate everyone’s patience as we worked through another season with travel restrictions. Cooperation from passengers and commercial shippers and travellers, and the efforts of our onboard crew and our shore-based staff and contractor, contributed to another successful year. The increase in freight and vehicle traffic and the recovery in passenger numbers demonstrate the importance of this service to people on the north and south coasts. We look forward to delivering the highest level of service again in 2022.” FIRST SAILING SCHEDULED FOR 2022 Labrador Marine Inc. has begun planning for the 2022 season and has scheduled the first sailing to depart Goose Bay on Sunday, June 12th, 2022. LMI will consult local government officials and users of the service in preparation for next season. For further information, contact: Peter Woodward, LMI President and CEO (709) 896-2421 Captain Austin Daley [email protected] |
Labrador Marine Inc. - 2018