The Federal Montreal, which had been anchored in Conception Bay for over two weeks due to a COVID outbreak among its crewmembers, has finally pulled up anchor and left the area.

The cargo vessel was en route from Hamilton to Spain when one of the crewmen fell ill and was advised to be taken to the closest available hospital.

It sailed into Conception Bay and dropped anchor near Kelly’s Island and the crew member was medevaced to hospital in St. John’s. Another 12 of the 22 crewmembers ended up testing positive for COVID-19.

The crew’s needs were met with the help of the Public Health Agency of Canada, and their plight even caught the attention of the Town of CBS and the local Salvation Army which arranged donations of warm clothing and other items.

The vessel finally sailed away on Saturday.