Marine Atlantic aquires 2 ships

[Dean Porter]

The are going to b able to carry1000 passengers whe they get over here, they are going to shorten them up as well alot of work. Its going to be really sad to see the Caribou and the Smallwood retire. My father played a very inportant role in the construction of the Caribou

[Barry Dewling]

Here's a thought Dean, Retire the Bond and place the Caribou or the Smallwood on that run

[Dean Porter]

I like that thought Barry, but the Smallwood and Caribou are too big for Labrador.

[Barry Dewling]

Concept drawings on what the ships will look like can be found here

http://www.marine-atlantic.ca/en/fleet/ConceptDrawings.pdf

[Stephen Ings]

wow, and that's not a good wow :-o

[Stefan Niederer]

WOW, yes that's the right word!
But it looks like they didn't shorten them! Look here and count the spaces until the aft. I count the same! Nevertheless a great concept, I hope Marine Atlantic can fill them up to earn enough money to keep them.

What will be with Caribou and Smallwood? I remember that they were in a very well shape back in 2007. (Video from 25:43 min.)Too big for the Labrador Route? Not because of the harbours, I believe. Maybe just to big to receive sufficient interest of passengers.

[Dean Porter]

Hi Stefan,

They are going to be modified at a shpyard in Germany. They will be shorten to 199 meter', there will be passenger space added, enough to carry 1000. The first ferry is to delievered to Marine Atlantic by christmas

Your right about passenger space on the Lbrador run, but also the Caribou and Smallwood are to big for the harbors

Regards
Dean

[Ben Mugford]

I wish they could find something to do with the Caribou and the Smallwood. It was those ships alone that got me interested in ship design and they were the highlight of my Newfoundland vacations growing up.

These new ones don't have the same "character" to me, but I may be the only one that thinks that. Hopefully they're modified in such a way that they can operate safely in Port Aux Basques.

Will be interesting to see them in person.

[Stefan Niederer]

Just a few guesses: (or are they wishes, I dont' know)
1.) Maybe they could do a trip from Boston/Portland to Nova Scotia as the fast ferry "The Cat" don't sail  anymore.
2.) Or maybe a 2-day cruise from Halifax to St. John's or more. Create new cabins on the car deck and use it as cruiseship for NFL.
3.)  Or we from shipspotting buy them, how much are they? Maybe there is discount if we buy both...  :lol:  :lol:

[Andrew]

he is my guesses
(1) maybe the same company that bought the freighter.
(2) going to tallink.
(3) bought the government of newfoundland and labador

[Andrew]

there is a shipyard in flensburg Germany

[Stephen Ings]

I could see the government dangling the Smallwood as bait to someone to restart either the Bar Harbor or Portland run from Yarmouth.  They maybe old but geez louise BC ferries still runs ships built in the 1960s..Marine Atlantic can't sell them until they go through goverment surplus and see if they are needed elsewhere (similar to the Atlantic Freighter which took so long for a sale :lol: ).

[Mac Mackay]

Caribou and Smallwod do not meet SOLAS regulations.That means that they will not likely see international service in the western world. Certainly not between Canada and the US without a lot of costly upgrading.
Best bets would in fact be:
1) scrap
2) scrap
3) scrap
Unless they were sold to some unsuspecting third world country with a poor safety record, such as the Philipines, I think they are finished.

[Barry Dewling]

take the best pieces of both ships and make one good ship