Winter Schedule

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%

“The Straits service is heavily utilized both by residents travelling for personal reasons and by commercial traffic bringing in food, necessary supplies, and equipment for projects such as highway construction and paving,” says Daley. “LMI is proud to provide this vital link between Labrador and the island. Our goal is to operate this essential service safely. LMI appreciates the cooperation we’ve received from all users of the service as we’ve adjusted operations during the COVID pandemic.”

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]