Shipping news: Well not to most of us.

I see the NL government has released the latest report on the state of Marine Transport.
http://www.releases.gov.nl.ca/releases/2006/tw/1006n05.htm
Not a lot surprising there, plus recommendations that are troubling. The report stated the obvious, things like the age of the vessels and mechanical preparedness, or rather non preparedness; this should have brought some pro action response from the government. Alas the minister of WST spent quite a lot of time stating that there are really no safety and mechanical issues with the fleet. All is copasetic according to the minister; Transport Canada issues certificates of efficiency every year, so all is OK. Just like the Titanic was OK to be full speed ahead as “she was unsinkable”.
The report also recommended 10 new vessels be built ASAP. The government had issued calls for expressions of interest for two new vessels; it is realistic to not expect this government to come up with all the answers ASAP since the previous governments had neglected the fleet for so long.

Two things stick out in this report pertaining to the Labrador routes of the provincial ferry service.
The first one being that it does not address the Labrador service at all. This is supposed to be addressed in another report a couple of years down the road.
The second one being the recommendation that the ferry service be turned into, or sold off, to be run as a private operation. The recommendation was to model the new entity perhaps on the lines of the BC Ferry system, a not for profit private corporation, a hands off, at arms length corporation answerable to the Government.
This proposal should bring fear to the hearts and pockets of the users of the ferry system in this province. Three words that best describe what could happen come to mind, Canada Post Corporation. I need say no more, the people in rural and remote communities fully understand.
Further to that, it seems that in the BC case, since the inception of the arms length ferry system started up, fares have increased by about 20%, business operators who use the system have seen fees rise by around 40%, we know who bears the brunt of those increases. Also the workers on the ferries have a lot more disgruntlements.

I think that a lot of discussion has take place, by all players including consumers. Actually especially consumers, as we always seem to be left out, or given short shift on these things.

A point I would make in the strongest terms is; why treat the ferries any different to the highway system. After all marine transport in this province is an extension of the highway and road system. Why insist that ferries run at a profit, or pay their way when highways and roads are run at a huge loss. Ferry users pay the same taxes as road users, privatize the ferries, and privatize the roads. Imagine what would happen the election after that was done eh?
It is a way for the government to shed it’s respocibilty to a section of the community onto an unanswerable arms length corporation. “Don’t talk to us, talk to them” is what will happen. Rather hypocritical considering the government appoints the board of said arms length corporation.