Michael Johansen gives a review of the mv Sir Robert Bond, the vessel that serves southern and central Labrador.
His question “what of the future” raise similar questions of what will happen with the two boats that serve the North Coast. The Astron is way beyond its best before date and the Northern Ranger needs at least an upgrade.

Maybe Michael [or some one else] can do a similar star grading and critique of the future of the North Coast vessels.

We have been told by government representatives that two boats serving the North Coast is not an option once the road is completed from Happy Valley Goose Bay to Cartwright.
There is a northern strategic plan out, meetings and consultations on transport were held in communities last year, but there is still no indication of what the new configuration will be in two or three year’s time.

One scenario is the building of a new vessel to serve both freight and passengers. If one is to be built then a hurry up order should be issued.

It is my opinion that if we end up with one vessel then both freight and passenger traffic will suffer.

Then there is the issue of where the port of departure will be. There is a strong lobby for that to be Goose Bay. I know that many on the north coast will take issue with that.
On paper it makes sense, the road from Quebec and the road from Southern Labrador end up there.
But then we have the problem with extra costs associated with road transport, it would mean a dramatic increase in freight from the Island portion of the province, and that is where the bulk of the freight originates to date.
Then there is the fact that GB wholesalers are smaller, carry less stock, and the prices are higher than on the Island, hence the reluctance to buy from them.

One idiot suggested that the boats to the North Coast be eliminated, yeah right. Another quipped that maybe ONE vessel could serve the north coast as well as Nunavut, what is wrong with these people?

There is much to be concerned about, the time to deal with these things is now, and many voices should be involved.
Maybe the visit this week to the coastal communities by the Minister will reveal some new initiatives, maybe not.
One thing is for sure, with so many communities to be visited in in such a big land in such a short time frame, the meetings will be short. And what are the odds of weather interruptions?

While on shipping; the Astron is still in Lewisport loading for ports to Nain. It has been eight days since it departed Nain; it takes about four days to do the run up the coast, if it left tonight that would be twelve days between arrivals in Nain. Just saying.