Our History
Blog posts on Marine Atlantic ferries throughout history.
Petite Forte
A well-known fixture in coastal communities for over 20 years, this vessel was donated to Mercy Ships, where it delivered free medical care and supplies to those in need around the world.
Time-Chartered Vessels
An invaluable part of the rail and marine service provided in Atlantic Canada, time-chartered vessels were primarily staffed by private company personnel and carried out a distinct mandate.
Marine Packer
With 59,700 cubic feet of cargo space, this freight vessel was essential to transporting many of the goods required in coastal communities through Newfoundland and Labrador from 1974 to 1994.
Proud of our History - Lewisporte, NL
SS Portia
Named after a character from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, this vessel was used to transport passengers, cargo, and mail from 1904 to 1940.
MV Jarl Transporter
Chartered in the early 1970s to help address an increase in commercial trucks travelling between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia, the vessel could travel at speeds of up to 15 knots.
SS Baccalieu
A vital link for coastal communities, this ship was named after the uninhabited island of Baccalieu, located at the head of Conception Bay on Newfoundland’s east coast. It served from 1940 to 1969.
MV Marine Courier
Introduced in 1984 to strengthen coastal Newfoundland service, this vessel measured 38 metres in length and could carry 144 passengers at speeds of up to 20 knots. It remained in service until 1996.
Proud of our History - Mulgrave, Nova Scotia
SS Lintrose
From 1913 to 1915, this vessel was the primary ship between Port aux Basques and North Sydney. It was sold to the Russian Government as part of allied combat activities associated with World War I.