St. John's Telegram - Sept 24, 2015<\/p>\n
Several ferry runs around the province are open for re-imagining, under a call for expressions of interest issued by the provincial government.<\/p>\n
The province is looking for a single, private contractor to take on the ferry services for over 34,000 passengers in total \u2014 for runs on the south coast of the island and the south coast of Labrador.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Department of Transportation and Works has already been in discussions with ferry users regarding options for a new service model managed by a single contractor, and will continue these discussions throughout this Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) process,\u201d noted a statement issued today by the department.<\/p>\n
Any contractor interested in taking on the job is being asked to consider how they would provide the needed vessels and other resources necessary.<\/p>\n
In terms of the boats, the department is willing to consider proposals involving: new builds, purchased vessels, charter vessels and\/or vessel sub-contracting.<\/p>\n
Government will be reviewing what is put forward, then issuing a request for formal proposals.<\/p>\n
The call specifically relates to the following ports:<\/p>\n
\u2022 La Poile<\/p>\n
\u2022 Grey River<\/p>\n
\u2022 Francois<\/p>\n
\u2022 McCallum<\/p>\n
\u2022 Gaultois<\/p>\n
\u2022 Rencontre East<\/p>\n
\u2022 South East Bight<\/p>\n
\u2022 Norman\u2019s Bay<\/p>\n
\u2022 William\u2019s Harbour<\/p>\n
Currently, the province has a LaPoile-Rose Blanche ferry run, with the MV Challenge One as the go-to vessel, according to the department\u2019s website.<\/p>\n
The Charlottetown-Norman's Bay-William's Harbour-Port Hope Simpson uses the 12-passenger MV Marine Eagle.<\/p>\n
Gaultois-McCallum-Hermitage is serviced using the MV Terra Nova.<\/p>\n
Runs of Ramea-Grey River-Burgeo (MV Gallipoli) and Francois-Grey River-Burgeo (MV Marine Voyager) are also serviced.<\/p>\n