STATEMENT FROM LABRADOR MARINE INC. REGARDING COVID ALERT LEVEL 3
RESTRICTIONS REMAIN IN PLACE ON THE STRAIT OF BELLE ISLE FERRY SERVICE
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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.
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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.
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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.

• LMI introduced a new menu on board the Kamutik W, featuring a broader range of food
• offerings and additional healthy options.
• LMI installed a new shore ramp at the Port of Goose Bay to allow for increased
• accessibility for marine traffic.
• NMI installed refrigerated storage containers at Nain and Hopedale to temporarily store
• perishable and frozen foods.
• NMI constructed a maintenance shed at the Port of Goose Bay for equipment upkeep
• and repair.

“As we near completion of the third year that LMI has operated the Kamutik W on the north
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]