By Tina Comeau
THE VANGUARD
NovaNewsNow.com
When weighing the pros and cons of a Portland or a Bar Harbor ferry route to and from Yarmouth, a study that says a business case can be made for a resumption of ferry service also identifies Portland as the stronger route candidate.
Still, the Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership – the group tasked with trying to revive ferry service for Yarmouth – says both routes as are on the table.
“All discussions take into consideration both possibilities,” said Keith Condon, the chair of the group.
The study, prepared in the spring by Gardner Pinfold, states that both a Yarmouth-Portland and a Yarmouth-Bar Harbor route would be candidates for a revived ferry service.
It then goes on to compare the pros and cons of both routes by examining infrastructure and facilities, distance and crossing time, cost of service, schedule, revenues and advantage for commercial interests.
On the issue of distance and crossing time, the study notes that Bar Harbor would appear to have an advantage because it is just 90 nautical miles from Yarmouth. Using a convention vessel – a throwback to the days of the MV Bluenose – the crossing would be five to six hours.
“This offers some flexibility with schedules and allows ample time for return crossings within a 24-hour period,” notes the study.
The study analysis states that Portland is double the distance, with a crossing time in the 10-11 hour range – a throwback to the days of the Scotia Prince.
“This would allow daily return crossings, though scheduling and turn-around times in port would be somewhat constrained. For passengers interested in the cruise experience, the longer crossing time may be preferred,” notes the study.
A cruise-type vessel has been identified in the report as the most attractive vessel for a ferry service to and from Yarmouth. The Nova Scotia International Ferry Partnership also says a cruise-type ferry is the preferred option.
In looking at the cost of service, twice the sailing distance between Yarmouth and Portland means higher fuel costs and higher maintenance expenses. The study suggests that a route in and out of Portland would also likely mean sailings on six days of the week, rather than seven days, since a day would be needed to carry out routine cleaning, maintenance and provisioning. A Portland run would also likely result in higher crew costs.
But, says the study, the absolute level of costs is not the issue, but rather the costs in relation to revenues.
“A higher cost service may be the preferred alternative if it generates higher net revenues,” it states, noting the early morning arrivals and departures from Yarmouth and evening arrivals and departures from Portland worked well for the Scotia Prince. Such a schedule would be beneficial to the southwestern Nova Scotia tourism industry since many passengers would spend the night in the area.
Still, with a shorter crossing time a Bar Harbor service could offer more scheduling flexibility. But obviously if the vessel overnights in Bar Harbor for an early morning departure from there, this wouldn’t have any great impact for the local tourism industry notes the study.
When it comes to revenues, the study ponders which service would be apt to see higher traffic. The answer tends to favour Portland since it is within a six-hour drive of a population base of 30 million, including most of the major cities in New England and New York. This is also a good scenario for motor coaches.
Although Bar Harbor is a popular tourist destination (near Acadia National Park which draws millions of visitors annually), the study notes that during the 1990s when ferries operated between Yarmouth and both Portland and Bar Harbor, passenger numbers via the Portland route tended to be about 50 per cent higher.
“The balance settled at 50:50 in the early 2000s when The Cat was introduced, a response to the novelty of the vessel and the relatively short duration of the trip,” states the study.
When it comes to advantages for commercial interests, the study concludes that neither route would offer much advantage over the existing Digby-Saint John Service.
“All routes would place a tractor-trailer in Boston in about 12 to13 hours. By virtue of a late afternoon departure from Yarmouth, a Bar Harbor service would allow trucks carrying fish and seafood to arrive in Boston within 24 hours and in time to meet market requirements (5 a.m.). A Portland service, with its morning departure from Yarmouth, would not meet these conditions,” states the study.
It notes another disadvantage to a Yarmouth service from a commercial standpoint, regardless of whether it went with Portland or Bar Harbor, is that it would be a seasonal service whereas the Digby ferry operates year-round.
After weighing all options, the study concludes that: “Against these considerations – proximity to major population centers in particular – Portland would appear to be the stronger candidate.”
