The provincial government has come out swinging after complaints about the ferry service to Bell Island with some calling it the worst in decades.

Area MHA David Brazil is calling for numerous changes in how the service is managed. Despite it being peak season, there has been only one ferry on the run for the past week-and-a-half. The second vessel, the Flanders, is out of service for repairs to the bow thruster.

Government says vessel refits planned for the Veteran and Legionnaire were postponed due to COVID-19. Refits for two other vessels (Grace Sparkes and Hazel McIsaac) were also required this year, leading to refits for all four vessels this year.

They have increased the number of trips to the island per day to 18 from 16, and spend $22-million a year providing ferry service to the 2500 residents of Bell Island.

There will be a public meeting on the island Sunday at 5:00 p.m. to talk about the situation.