Residents of Fogo Island are demanding answers as to why crossings on the Fogo Island ferry were cancelled last Friday well in advance of forecast high winds.

Fogo hosted the annual Thomas and Anna Penton Memorial fundraising tournament this weekend, and the cancellation denied players—many of whom stayed in Gander the night before to make the morning crossing—an opportunity to get to the island to participate.

Proceeds from the annual event go to the local Fogo Island high school hockey team.

The tournament takes months of organizing and planning and many were disappointed that the ferry crossings were pre-emptively cancelled even though conditions during what would have been the morning run were fine.

MHA Jim McKenna says he was called around 9:00 Friday morning saying the crossing was cancelled.

He says when he looked out the window the seas were calm and the wind app on his phone showed winds at just 12 knots. “I just couldn’t understand why the ferry was not running, because she generally leaves Fogo Island at 7:00. A round trip, she’s back to Fogo Island at 9:30. So she definitely could have had the first trip completed, with no problems whatsoever, and probably even the second one.”

Minister meets with Ferry Users’ Committee

Transportation Minister Fred Hutton met with members of the local ferry users’ committee this morning.

He says the decision whether or not to sail is made by the captain and the captain alone, and government has no say in the matter.

Hutton has committed however to working with Labrador Marine, the operators of the Qamatik W, and the local ferry users committee to ensure that any changes to the ferry schedule are communicated as quickly and effectively as possible.