Joshua Slocum to Rest after Years of Service

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Joshua Slocum to Rest after Years of Service

The Joshua Slocum worked in storms, snow and rain. She rarely complained and never took holidays.

And so after 28 years of service, the province is preparing to give the ferry between Brier Island and Long Island a well- deserved rest. Today, Dec. 4, the Department of Transportation and Public Works announced that the Joshua Slocum is retiring a year from now and will be replaced by a new vessel to service Route 217 on Digby Neck, Digby Co.

"The Slocum has given the people of Nova Scotia excellent service and I know that the vessel will be missed," said Ron Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works. "However, it's time to pass the torch and move to a larger vessel that will give us another generation of service."

A tender to replace the Slocum appeared in today's newspapers and on the Internet. The tender closes on Jan. 9, 2003. The new ferry is expected to take one year to build.

The ferry, which carries 15 vehicles and passengers across Grand Passage, has been operating since 1974 and continues to increase its workload every year. In 1974, the ferry carried 38,000 vehicles; that number has skyrocketed to 96,000 a year, mainly as a result of increased tourism.

"This ferry is a vital transportation link in the area," said Mr. Russell. "Replacing the Slocum is another indication that we're committed to maintaining and building strong infrastructure in our province."