Northumberland Ferries cancels Saaremaa crossing due to high winds

Northumberland Ferries cancelled a scheduled ferry crossingonthe MV Saaremaa on Sunday.

The 5p.m. departure from Caribou, N.S., was called off due to high winds, according to the company's website. The 6:30 p.m. crossing was also cancelled initially, only to be restored later.

At 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the Northumberland Strait. Winds topping 45 km/h can be expected this evening.

Environment Canada said winds are expected to diminish by Monday evening.

Several recent cancellations

TwoSaaremaa sailings were also cancelled early Sunday, and six sailings were cancelled Saturday due to a technical issue with one of the main engines.

Last week, the Saaremaa was taken out of service Thursday due to high winds.

The Saaremaa was brought into service on the strait to replace the MV Holiday Island, which caught fire during a run in 2022. The ferry was beyond repair, and had to be scrapped.

The Saaremaa isleased from Quebec's provincial ferry service andis less suited to the sometimes rough conditions on the Northumberland Strait than the MV Confederation.

A permanent replacement for the Holiday Island is not expected to be ready before 2028.

The MV Confederation will still operate as usual, with its last sailings on Sunday from Wood Islands at 5p.m. and Caribou at 6:30 p.m.