Quebec ferry service interrupted after ferry hits dock

A ferry connectingMatane with Quebec's North Shore struck a dock in Gobout Wednesday, in the latest setback for the province's beleaguered service.

The Saaremaa Iwasn't damaged, but the dock's ramp will have to be repaired and that will take several days.

In the meantime, passengers will be redirected to Baie-Comeau, adding another hour to the trip.

According to the statement released Wednesday by the Socit des traversiers du Qubec (STQ), the departure schedule of that ferry remains unchanged.

In other words, nospecial scheduling is planned despite the expected increase in riders.

The statement says the STQ recognizes the inconvenience of the situation.

"Passenger safety is the priority that dictates decisions in the current conditions," the STQ says.

The STQ says the damage was minor and an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the collision.

"The hydraulic cylinders that allow the lifting of the boarding ramp have been damaged."
Alexandre Lavoie, spokesperson for STQ.

Problem after problem leads to investigation

The accidentis the latest in a string of problems involving Quebecferry services, coming within a week ofQuebec Premier Franois Legault's announcement thatthe auditor general is probinginto issues with the NM Flix-Adrien Gauthier.

"Quebecers are not only losing money, but have also gotten very poor service these past few months," he said.

The F.A. Gauthier was docked for repairs last December, just three-and-a-half years after its inauguration. It's still out of service.

The STQ implemented a series of temporary solutions, including the purchase of the Apollo.

That vessel was in such bad shape that it was removed from service after only 42 days.

Roughly200,000 passengers take the ferry annually between Baie-Comeau, Godbout and Matane.

TheSaaremaa I can hold up to 600 passengers and more than 150 vehicles.

It took over from MV Flix-Antoine-Savard, whose ferry crossings were frequently cancelled for several weeks because of restrictive conditions imposed by Transport Canada.