MV Blue Puttees Ferry Route and Operations Overview

The MV Blue Puttees ferry route is a vital transportation link for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. It connects the province to the mainland by traversing the Cabot Strait.

The ferry travels from North Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland and Labrador, a journey that takes approximately 14 hours. This route is a lifeline for the province, providing a critical transportation link for people, goods, and services.

The MV Blue Puttees is a modern and reliable vessel, well-equipped to handle the demands of this busy route. It has a capacity to carry over 1,500 passengers and 450 vehicles.

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Mechanical issues with the Blue Puttees have forced a change to the sailing schedule.

The Port aux Basques to North Sydney sailing, originally set for April 2 at 11:45 p.m., will now depart on April 3 at 11:45 a.m.

The North Sydney to Port aux Basques sailing, scheduled for 11:45 a.m., will not leave until 11:45 p.m. on April 3.

The return ferry from Port aux Basques to North Sydney, originally planned for 11:45 p.m., will now sail at 11:45 a.m. on April 4.

Officials with Marine Atlantic recommend that passengers check-in at least two hours before departure.

The MV Blue Puttees is a cruiseferry that operates on the North Sydney-Port aux Basques route.

It was built in 2006 at a cost of EUR 84 million (CAD 100 million) by Baltijsky Zavod (St Petersburg, Russia) and Fosen Mekaniske Verksteder (Rissa, Norway).

Here are some key specifications of the ship:

The ship has a capacity for 1000 passengers, 570 cars, and 190 freight vehicles.

The Blue Puttees ferry is a remarkable vessel with a rich history. It was originally ordered in 2004 by STENA LINE and launched in 2005.

The ship's propulsion system is quite impressive, powered by two MAN marine diesel engines with a total output of 21.6 MW. It also includes two auxiliary Mitsubishi engines for added power.

The Blue Puttees has undergone significant changes to serve its new route. During its conversion, a third bow thruster was added for better maneuverability, and the hull was shortened by 12 meters to facilitate docking at Port aux Basques.

The ship's freight capacity was decreased from 3100 to 2840 lane meters as a result of the conversion. This change allowed it to better serve its new route.

The Blue Puttees entered service with MARINE ATLANTIC in March 2011, marking a new chapter in its history.

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The Blue Puttees ferry is a cruiseferry (Ro-Pax ship) built in 2006, with a current age of 19 years.

It's a large vessel, measuring 200 meters in length (656 ft) and 27 meters in width (89 ft). The ferry has a gross tonnage of 28460 gt.

The Blue Puttees has a impressive capacity, carrying 1000 passengers, 570 cars, and 190 freight vehicles. There are also 500 seats and 300 beds available on board.

The ferry has a total of 10 decks, with 96 cabins and 1 deck dedicated to cabins. It's worth noting that the ferry has undergone a refurbishment in 2017.

Here's a breakdown of the ferry's capacity:

The Blue Puttees is operated by MARINE ATLANTIC and is currently on the North Sydney-Port aux Basques route. Its top speed is 22 knots (41 km/h or 25 mph).

The Blue Puttees ferry operates on the Canadian route North Sydney-Port aux Basques, with a crossing time of 7 hours.

This route runs year-round, 7 days a week, making it a convenient option for travelers between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.

The ferry's regular schedule allows passengers to plan their trips in advance, and the year-round service means you can travel whenever you need to.

The Blue Puttees ferry has a maximum capacity of 1000 passengers and 570 cars (or 190 lorries), making it a reliable option for both individuals and groups.

Here's a breakdown of the ferry's facilities:

The Blue Puttees ferry was held outside of Port aux Basques near Codroy due to higher winds than forecasted on June 13, 2016.

The vessel was expected to dock early in the afternoon as winds dropped, and return to its regular schedule as quickly as possible.

She was expected to arrive in Port aux Basques at 7:15 a.m., but unfortunately, it didn't happen.

The Blue Puttees ferry is currently located in the North West Atlantic Ocean, specifically at coordinates 47.58000 N / -59.14000 W.

It's cruising en route to North Sydney, a significant destination for maritime traffic in the region.

The ferry's current position was last reported 33 minutes ago, giving us a snapshot of its current status.

Its Automatic Identification System (AIS) position is regularly updated, providing real-time information about the ferry's movements.

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Car Decks are a crucial part of Puttees Ferry Operations, and it's essential to know the rules and procedures to ensure a safe and smooth journey.

Car Decks can be loaded on 2 levels with vehicle access from both bow and stern. Passenger access to decks 3 through 8 is via 1 elevator (red) and a stairway (red), both located aft.

If you're a disabled passenger or require specific assistance, head to the ship's Information Desk, which is open 24-hours. This is a great resource to get help and guidance throughout your journey.

When loading your vehicle, apply the handbrake and place it in park or 1st gear position. Switch off the ignition, alarm, electrical equipment, and headlights, and lock the vehicle. Don't forget to switch off gas cylinders if you have any.

To make things easier, take only valuables and essential hand baggage from your vehicle. It's also a good idea to make a note of your vehicle's location and garage deck number/stairway before leaving the car deck.

Remember, access to the ship's vehicle (cargo) decks during the voyage is strictly prohibited. And, as a reminder, smoking on vehicle decks, as well as in cabins and passenger lounges, is forbidden.

Wait for the onboard announcement before returning to your vehicle. And, to avoid air pollution, don't start the engine until instructed.

The MV Blue Puttees ferry is operated by Marine Atlantic, a Canada-based company that offers ferry service between North Sydney and Port aux Basques. The ferry has a max capacity of 1000 passengers and 570 cars.

The ferry was launched in 2006 and has been refurbished in 2017. It's a Ro-Pax passenger vessel with 10 decks, offering a range of facilities including a MET Restaurant, Snack Bar, Riva Cafe, and Public Seating Lounge. There's also an open-air viewing deck with a kennel stowage area for pet carriers.

Marine Atlantic purchased the MV Blue Puttees and its sister ship, MV Highlanders, as part of a $375-million investment into the company. The purchase price for each vessel was $100 million, which will allow Marine Atlantic to solidify its fleet for the future.

Marine Atlantic has purchased the MV Blue Puttees and MV Highlanders, two vessels that have been providing ferry service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia since 2011.

The purchase was made at a cost of $100 million per vessel, totaling $200 million for both vessels.

This purchase is part of a $375-million investment into Marine Atlantic announced last month by the federal government.

The remaining money will be used to cover the operating subsidy, and for other capital projects.

Marine Atlantic's president and CEO, Paul Griffin, is excited about the purchase and its benefits for customers.

The vessels will provide positive results for Marine Atlantic's service for years to come.

Both vessels have been chartered from Stena for the past four years, serving the Port aux Basques-North Sydney route.

The original deal in 2010 was for a five-year charter, with the option to extend for another five years, or purchase the vessels outright.

Marine Atlantic has seen significant improvements since the previous five-year, $521-million funding commitment in 2010.

Customer satisfaction rates have increased by almost 20 per cent since 2011, on-time performance has improved to 90 per cent, and the time it takes to recover from weather delays has been cut in half.

The MV Blue Puttees is back in action, resuming its regular schedule on the Nova Scotia-Newfoundland route. The vessel will depart North Sydney at 11:45 a.m.

Passengers who traveled on the Blue Puttees between December 29 and January 16 were advised to arrange COVID-19 testing as a precautionary measure.

The risk to passengers was deemed low, but public health officials took the necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety.

The Blue Puttees will return to its daily schedule, providing a vital service for those traveling between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.