With Thanks to Our Crew

At Marine Atlantic, our vessel crews work 15 days per shift. Although crew change is not new to us, today marks the first crew change during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We want to thank this dedicated group of trailblazers who have been on our vessels since March 15, and on the front lines of our efforts to respond to COVID-19. They have seen us through the first phase of this pandemic, implementing many new and critical safety procedures. They have brought approximately 9000 people safely to their destination and transported 6400 commercial trailers to and from our province with the necessary goods our province needs.

We are proud of their efforts to maintain this essential service. It is because of their commitment to keeping the ferries safely running that we have groceries and supplies in our homes and businesses during this difficult time. Our dedicated crew remains focussed on keeping people and trucks moving from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland, and we thank them for their service and support of us all. They have been steadfast in their commitment and, for that, I am very grateful.

The Newfoundland-based team will self-isolate at home for 14 days, which is consistent with the Special Measures Order issued by the province’s Chief Medical Officer to ensure the safety of our employees and our communities. We all have an important role to play to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and ensure our employees, families, customers, and communities remain safe and healthy.

These are unprecedented times for our service, our customers, and our employees. While this is a continuously evolving situation, Marine Atlantic’s actions in the past week, and always, are focused on two main principles—protecting the health and safety of our customers and employees and maintaining our essential ferry service. As this Marine Atlantic crew passes the baton to the next team, we will continue to prioritize safety and service. You may see further changes in our operations in the coming days and weeks, and we appreciate the continued patience and support of our employees, customers, and stakeholders as we navigate these challenging times together.

Finally, for our crews and employees on the front-lines and throughout our organization, thank you for continuing to deliver for our customers and our province in this unprecedented time. Despite our challenges, you have shown us all how to weather a storm with dedication and kindness.

Sincerely,
Murray Hupman
President and CEO