Gagetown ferry only licensed for 4 months

The Gagetownferry resumed service earlier this week after undergoing an estimated $100,000 in repairs, but only for four months,according to its inspection certificate from Transport Canada.

The free cable ferry, whichcrosses the St. John River betweenGagetownand LowerJemseg, is no longer allowed to operate during the winter.

"Vessel shall not operate in ice," is among the terms and conditions listed.

In addition, the certificate, issued on July 27, expires on Nov. 30.

"Certificate short-termed pending strategic review of operations by (New Brunswick Department of Transportation," it states.

Still, area residents are optimistic about the ferry's long-term future, according toWilf Hiscock, who has been serving as their spokesman andworking with the provincial government's strategic review committee on the issue.

He says residentsare thrilled to have the ferry backfive months after it was deemed unseaworthy, and are willing to accept the loss of winter service, as well as the schedule being reduced from 24 hoursto 6 a.m. until midnight.

12-passenger limit upsets residents

Buttheirprimary concernright now is thenew 12-passenger limit, which also affects the number of vehicles that can cross.

Hiscock contends the long-standing 12-vehicle restriction makes sense, given the weight capacity ofthe vessel, but he argues thata few extra bodies shouldn't matter.

"You know, families travel three or four in some vehicles, and if there's four people in three vehicles, we've already reached the [new 12-passenger]limit, that means it's got to cross with three vehicles," he said.

"There will be a lot of people left on shore, especially on weekends," and during special events, such as fairs.

And while the ferrycrossing only takes about five minutes, Hiscock says the lineups during peak times can be "a mile long" on both sides of the river.

He plans to lobby the provincial government to seek an increase from Transport Canada in the maximum number ofpassengers, he said.

"We'reworking ona long-term plan for thisferry what can we expect next year. That's what we're working on."

Hiscock says theferry providesa"vitallink" for residents, who otherwise have to drive about 70 kilometres round-trip to get to everything frommedical appointments tochurch services.

It's also crucial to the village itself,which relies on tourism, said Hiscock

He estimateslocal businesses have already seen a 30 per cent drop in the five months the ferry was down. "Restaurants, the conveniencestore everybody is suffering."

The ferry is also crucial to the farming community, he said, noting tractors can't travel the highway with a load of hay, for example,because the shoulders aren't wide enough. "It's just not safe."