City of Portland joins Nova Star ferry creditors

Portland, Maine officials claim Nova Star Cruises owesthe city more than $150,000 for a loan extended last year that theysay hasn't been repaid.

The Portland Press Herald reports thecity joins more than a half-dozen creditors who claim the ferryservice owes them $1.6 million collectively.

Portland Development Corp. attorney Charles Remmel says the moneywas used for modifications to the Nova Star a ferry that operatedfor two years between Portland and Yarmouth, N.S.

Remmel says Nova Star Cruises also owes more than $85,000 for useof city facilities.

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U.S. Marshals seized the ferry Oct. 30 because of the cruiseline's outstanding debts.

Remmel says formal liens will be filed next week.

A Nova Star Cruises spokesman says the company intends to pay itsbills.