Ferry delays affect grocery supplies

"He realizes the challenge they have," said Mr. Mahoney. "He's got a vision of where he wants them to go. He's got some challenges to meet, as it goes forward. I guess the real test will come when the Atlantic Vision goes into service."

The MV Atlantic Vision is Marine Atlantic's newest and largest ferry, set to begin its service between Port au Basques and North Sydney in April. The vessel can hold 531 vehicles and is fast for its size at 27 knots.

Mr. Mahoney said he's disappointed the federal government didn't take the federal budget as an opportunity to invest money in upgrading the current ferries to reduce the amount of time they spend in drydock.

"The other two vessels are aging, and there has to be a plan to upgrade the Smallwood and the Caribou as well," he said.

Mr. Goodyear said he believes Newfoundland and Labrador isn't getting the ferry service it needs because the province doesn't have as much influence as other provinces in Canada.

"It's politically motivated," he said. "There's no other rational reason. B.C. can scream and get what they want. They got everything. And we've been screaming about the Gulf situation for years."

Marine Atlantic general manager Jim Roche said weather is the biggest reason why the ferries have been delayed.

"We've been impacted by the weather," he said. "We try to get extra sailings in to try and move the traffic. It's very hard to get in extra sailings this time of year, with winds, heavy seas, and now we're encountering some ice in the Gulf."

Weather is beyond Marine Atlantic's control, but Allan Scott, chair of the economic development committee, said repairs also hold up service. In early December, for example, a ramp problem in Port au Basques kept trucks from being offloaded for four to five days.

The Town of Gander sent a letter to Marine Atlantic expressing concerns about the disruptions to commercial freight.

"Some of it is because of weather, there's no doubt, but a lot of it is because of maintenance of their vehicles," Coun. Scott said. "They're not maintained properly, there's a lot of break downs, and vehicles are out of service."

Mr. Goodyear said even with the Town on Gander on his side he doesn't expect Marine Atlantic to improve its ferry service any time soon.

We'll be back at this in another two year's time," he said. "It's not acceptable for me, and I'm definitely voicing my concerns about it."