Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Nostalgic.

A tweet by Wally in Ottawa brought back some fond memories of several decades ago.
Wally tweeted that the Pacific Aurora was on the sale block, perhaps for 1.3 million, but that could just be a guess.

Pacific Aurora was originally mv Taverna, at the time I arrived in Nain she served the coast along with the mv Bonavista. They alternated runs up the coast out of Lewisport on a by-weekly turn around.

Carrying cargo and passengers these ships were an essential part of people and freight moving. The airstrips were still under construction back then, so trips on either boat were a great way to meet people and have a right royal time.The price was right too, being way cheaper and more reliable than flying.
Rules and regulations were more relaxed, the food was great being cooked fresh on board.

Those days the feds ran the coastal boats under Marine Atlantic and its forerunners. I am sure most Labradorians would pine for the return of them days, if only for the comradery and the food.

After being sold and re positioned to BC the Taverna had its freight hold replaced with crew accommodations and a viewing lounge up forward, just in front of the wheelhouse.

She would make a nice cruise ship for up this way. Lots of potential, but the fluctuating world economy and logistics of getting people in and out of here are daunting. Of course some of the decor would need a rejig as well.

You can view some photos and general specs here.



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