08/12/16 Bob Aduchi - Bay Ferries "The Cat"

Posted by Dick Hall
 
(Photo: Prez Laura Young, Bob Aduchi and Dave Putnam) 
 
Dave Putnam introduced Bob Aduchi as the pinch hitter for Don Cormier, Vice President of Operations and Safety Management for Bay Ferries Limited, who was not able to attend.
 
The CAT is back, but different. The Bay Ferries CAT is an important maritime link between Maine and Nova Scotia. CAT service between Portland and Yarmouth, NS started June 15, 2016. Bob stated that Bay Ferries has a very good product, with a ship purpose built and retrofit for the task. Bay Ferries has a long tradition of safe reliable marine transportation. Bay Ferries has many routes with each ship chosen to exactly match the needs of the route. The company operates three routes, Maine to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick to Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island to Nova Scotia. There is a long tradition of service between eastern Canada and Maine, since the 1880s. 1970 to 2016 – There were several ferries on the route: Prince of Fundy, Scotia Prince, High-Speed Cat, Novastar, and now Bay Ferries CAT. Steamships ran from Yarmouth to Boston in 1800s, with a $9.00 one-way ticket price.
 
The new CAT has a 53-mph top speed, with the capability for 200 vehicles and 800 passengers, and is designed for the route. The CAT is a US flagged ship, with 22 US crew. The ship was launched in 2007 and is powered by four 8000 series Rolls Royce diesel engines totaling 44,000 HP and water propulsion. The interior is very comfortable and airy with movies, children's play area, and (3) cafes. The layout makes it easy to move about, with comfortable seats, and a state of the art bridge.
The ship can handle motor coaches, extra-long vehicles, motorcycles, and cars. The ship is 350 feet long, burns diesel, has very efficient engines, and the right fit for the market. Departure time fromPortland is 2:30 PM, arriving in Yarmouth, NS at 9:00 p.m., and departs Yarmouth, NS at 8:30 a.m. Passengers are asked to arrive one-hour early. The regular fare is $100 per person one way.
 
Bay Ferries is not just selling the advantages of traveling on the ferry, but is working with Nova Scotia who provides a daily calendar of things to do in Nova Scotia. There is an information center on board with brochures, maps and a live person to assist. Destination marketing is a very important link, with most people staying overnight in Yarmouth either on landing, prior to departure or both. Bay Ferries is doing lots of advertising, and is working closely with Tourism NS as its partner. Service had a late start due to required upgrades, but now they are on track to move forward this year and next.
 
Questions from the club:
Why was the High Speed Cat discontinued and what is new now? The NS subsidy was removed when there was a change in government. Without the subsidy, the Cat could not survive. Now the subsidy is back, for two years at least, after another change in government. The CAT is more ideally suited for this route.
 
How is occupancy? Things are running pretty well, but we hope it continues to improve.
 
Are there any plans for a Boston stop? There are no plans now as the fees for Boston are very high, so it would probably not be feasible.
 
Why did the Navy own this ship? The ship was purchased and used as relief ship for Haiti. It could also be used to move troops quickly, if needed. The ship was in Hawaii as a ferry and that company went bankrupt, so the Navy got it back. Bay Ferries has a two-year lease with option to be renewed. 
 
Some passengers have reported that credit cards could not be used on board for most of the trip due to no internet connection.  Is this a regular problem? The speaker did not know, and advised he would check into it.
 
Sell us on Yarmouth - Not a lot to do.  Bob said it was a small fishing community, with not much going on. Most tourists use it as a stepping off point, not a destination.
 
What conditions will cause cancellation? What about change in weather? There are contingency plans. This year, one sailing was cancelled due to weather.
 
Will subsidies continue? The NS government has committed to two years. Then another decision will be made. Travel industry partners are critical. AAA has 61 clubs in the New England Group, and Bay Ferries offers booking incentives for travel agents.
 
What percent of vehicles are commercial? No commercial trucks are allowed as Portland did not want the commercial truck traffic. Bob noted that he sees license plates from all over the US, but most are within a 5-6 hour drive of Portland.
 
With your existing Navy lease, can you winter charter? Bob did not know for sure, but there are no plans for a winter charter now. Bay Ferries must safeguard the ship and pay docking fees for the winter layover.
 
Why are buses seen backing out of the ferry? Due to the configuration of the ramp, it is required in Portland.