UPDATE February 2015: Corrected the original article. Canamerica Cruises are in fact not looking for outside investors in the venture. Also correct the number of passengers the Scotia Prince carried during her most successful season.
I’ve always been closely following the ship Nova Star, the ferry that runs between Maine and Nova Scotia. It seems there’s a never-ending string of problems plaguing the operation. The latest was a $5 million advance from the Government of Nova Scotia to pay for operating expenses that were past due. With the acceptance of the money, the operator will undergo strict financial audits to help sure up the operation.
The ferry also wasn’t sailing full either. The last voyage arrived in Yarmouth, NS on October 14th where the season ended early. She was supposed to be sailing until November 2nd. It was reported that only 650 pax had bookings that would be effected, so she was sailing far from full during the peak months. It’s presumed she carried 45,000 guests during the season; far from the 100,000 guests the line forecasted. For a comparison, the most ever was one season where the Scotia Prince carried 150,000 pax in one season. The Scotia Prince carried 177,586 during her most successful season, while averaging 150,00 passengers per year as well.
Speaking of the Scotia Prince, a group of former directors of Prince of Fundy Cruises ltd, operators of the Scotia Prince, have formed a new group called Canamerica Cruises. Nicknamed Scotia Prince II, this group is exploring the possibility of starting up a rival ferry service to Nova Star Cruises. This new proposal calls for a 700 pax vessel (Nova Star carries 600) that, unlike the Nova Star, will not be a brand new ship. Until they can secure government funding, they cant announce the ship that they chose, but apparently they have a deal in place to charter it once they get the government funding. What is known, is that she’ll be named Scotia Prince II.
The new firm plans to use the vessel its self as collateral in exchange for an unspecified government loan. This would allow the government to seize the vessel should the venture fail and auction it off. They are also looking for outside investors as well.They are not looking for outside investors.
They submitted the full proposal to the Canadian Government last week and will submit it to Portland officials shortly as well. They aim to hear back by Dec. 1 in order to obtain proper federal approvals for the route.
Past Articles on the Nova Scotia Ferry
