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TANCOOK ISLANDS FERRY SURVEY

TANCOOK ISLANDS FERRY SURVEY

Greetings, ferry passengers!

The new car ferry will come with many benefits:

  • a new shorter route, landing in Blandford instead of Chester
  • more frequent trips
  • access for transport trucks and emergency response vehicles

To accommodate the larger car ferry, the province is building a new wharf on Big Tancook Island. The wharf is on land leased from the federal government. Therefore, we must complete a federal government regulatory approval process.

Your part in this approval process is to complete an online survey. The survey assesses the impact of the ferry on your daily life. It asks questions like why you take the ferry and how often. Answers should be easy.

The survey will go live tomorrow morning. (Friday. Nov. 12) and will be available for a few weeks.

We encourage you to complete it.

Online Socio-economic Impact Assessment Survey:

survey.zohopublic.com/zs/XZCNVB

 

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Car Ferry Tender Awarded

We have just heard that the tender for a new car ferry for the Tancook Islands was officially awarded today to A. F. Theriault and Son Ltd. in Meteghan, N.S.
It is our understanding that our new car ferry will be similar to “Margaret’s Justice,” the new ferry servicing Long Island and Brier Island.
(photo credit A. F. Theriault and Son Ltd.)
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Car Ferry for the Tancook Islands Announced

Press Release: Car Ferry for the Tancook Islands

News release

New Tancook Islands Ferry, Shorter Route Announced

Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal

Residents of Little and Big Tancook Islands will benefit from a new car ferry, the province announced today, Nov. 4.

The new vessel will provide shorter, more frequent trips and allow transport trucks and emergency response vehicles to access the islands.

The province and the Government of Canada are each investing $4.9 million for a new 18-car ferry. The new vessel will replace the existing 38-year-old foot passenger ferry.

The Tancook Islands ferry departure route is also changing to accommodate a car ferry. The landing will move to Blandford, Lunenburg Co. from Chester. Travel time on the new route will drop from 50 to 30 minutes. The number of daily crossings will increase from four to about 11.

“The new ferry will help ensure a safe and reliable service to residents and visitors of Tancook Islands,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal Minister Lloyd Hines. “It will also improve access to essential services such as ambulances, as well as economic and tourism opportunities.”

Construction of the new car ferry is expected to start this winter with an estimated completion date of Spring 2022.

Quotes:

Strong and modern infrastructure is an essential building block for healthy and prosperous rural communities. The Tancook Island ferry replacement will improve access to essential services for residents, while opening the community to new tourism and business opportunities.Bernadette Jordan, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard, on behalf of Maryam Monsef, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Rural Economic Development

Not only will a new car ferry bring better services to the islands from all levels of government and create economic opportunities, it shows commitment to rural Nova Scotia. It means a safe, reliable service for the residents of these islands and makes living here more attractive to future residents, ensuring the viability of these Islands for years to come.Jason Keddy, Captain of the Tancook Islands ferry

Quick Facts:

  • about 200 people live on the Tancook Islands
  • the Tancook Islands ferry is currently a passenger-only ferry that makes four return trips daily, seven days a week from Chester
  • the existing ferry is 39 years old
  • Chester is not able to accommodate the new 18-car ferry
  • Tancook Island ferry is one of three provincial ferries being replaced. Others include the Country Harbour ferry in Guysborough County and the Little Narrows ferry in Victoria County

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Media Contact:

Steve Warburton
Cell: 902-943-7681
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Notice from the Ferry Crew re Covid-19

Due to the increase in traffic, it is harder than ever to social distance onboard. On the advice of public health, we are recommending passengers wear facemasks while onboard.  This recommendation does not apply to kids under two and those who cannot wear one due to health issues

We also ask passengers to please respect the crew while they are carrying out their duties by giving them 6 ft of clearance. Don’t crowd the after deck and stairs while waiting to get to the upper deck, clear a path when the crew needs to get by and wear a mask if you can.

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Special Gas Run

The NS Ferry Service has announced that tomorrow (Sept 11) and each following day (until power is restored) there will be a daily gas run.
The 6:00 am ferry will transport you and your empty gas containers to Chester. Full gas containers will be delivered back to Tancook at 9:00 am.  Passengers can then return to Tancook on the 10:20 ferry.

The 8 am ferry will run as usual.

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Property Tax Rebate

Attention Tancook residents:
Property owners who reside on their property and have an income for the previous year less than $25,000 may qualify for a property tax rebate.

For details please contact  Joanne Sampson, Property Tax Clerk for the Municipality of the District of Lunenburg at 902-541-1329.