Credit where due:

Much criticism has been aimed at the new freight boat for the Labrador coast this year both in verbal form and written.

The Dutch Runner [The Dutch] is deserved of most of the criticism in my opinion. She is too slow, still has problems unloading the RoRo in high tides and the crane offloading system could be better. All round she is not the correct boat for the Labrador Coast.

Much criticism was aimed at the new operators of the shipping service ‘CAI-Nunatsiavut Marine’ at the start and mid season also. Being a new service things took some time to gel for the new operators. Maybe some of the criticism was over the top, but the fact is CAI-N and the Provincial Government are themselves to blame for raising the expectations of the people in Nunatsiavut. If they were not geared up for the service they should have said so up front.

Now that the season draws to a close things on the shore based side of operations of CAI-N have improved immeasurably, at least in Nain.

Once the drop trailers and containers were brought up to numbers to handle the volumes of freight things seem to be operating in a far superior fashion to previous years.

Reasons I say this are; new or near new drop trailers, new or near new containers, more staff working with wharfinger, plus longer hours, for off loading and distribution of freight. Also the lay down yard is kept in a more organized fashion than previous.

So if the issue with the Dutch can be ironed out then things look good for next shipping season, touch wood.

For those from away hungering for some Nain char:

Torngat Fish producer’s sales rep finely returned my call. I inquired about possibility of Nain char being sold in southern markets.

Outside of St. John’s, and then only limited, no luck. They have tried to interest retailers in southern markets of Canada and US but the logistics and cost of shipping seems to prohibit.

In St. John’s the Fish Depot on the water front has fresh and smoked fillets from time to time, just have to check it out I suppose.

In TFP in Goose Bay has plenty available, just have to know someone passing through or have deep pockets to pay for the shipping.

Sorry about that, but I tried.

Finely for the day: A CBC pod cast of interview with Noah Nochasak on his kayak trip to Hebron.