MV Ivan-Quinn soon to be in annual 3-weeks technical stop

The MV Ivan-Quinn, which connects Entry Island to Cap-aux-Meules, will be in its annual technical stop from May 18 to June 8.

Once again, the passenger vessel Béatrice-Hubert will take over from the Ivan-Quinn, while the tugboat JC Lapierre will be available in case of emergency to transport large cargo. During these three weeks, island residents will therefore not be able to transport their vehicles to and from Cap-aux-Meules, and the same rule applies to ambulances and garbage trucks.

Some Entry Islanders, like Ralph Josey, feel this operation is coming at an inopportune time, during the lobster fishing season, and doubt the technical stop needs to last three weeks.

Nebesna Tremblay, who manages a catering service based on Entry Island, believes she is in a better position than fishermen who have to ferry their bait from Cap-aux-Meules, although she still has to adapt her operations.

Both are wondering if the annual technical stop could not instead be carried out during wintertime, when the service is less used.

In an email, the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) reiterates that this is a regulatory operation required by Transport Canada, which allows for routine maintenance and inspections, as well as for the renewal of the vessel’s certifications. Regular fares will be maintained during this period, despite the restrictions imposed on the crossing by the technical stop.

Last fall, the MV Ivan-Quinn had to undergo major repairs during a dry dock that lasted more than three months, twice as long as expected, much to the dismay of Entry Island residents.

Translated from the french article with the help of Google Translate

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Read more:

• Entry Island: Ivan-Quinn dry dock poorly planned, according to residents (December 17th 2024)