These are difficult times for people on Fogo and Change Islands as the main ferry, the Veteran, remains out of service with electrical issues.

Bad enough that its replacement boat, the Beaumont Hamel, has about one-third the capacity but Fogo Island Mayor Andrew Shea says management changes sailing times without warning or notice. For example, the 7 a.m. crossing this morning didn’t leave until 9 a.m. It doesn’t sound significant but Mayor Shea says that would have prevented someone from reaching Gander in time for dialysis or other medical services.

Shea says you shouldn’t be able to change the ferry schedule in five minutes. Yesterday, they cancelled the 8:30 trip. Mayor Shea says it’s bad enough that people are waiting hours and hours.