New northern Labrador ferry named for Inuit sled could be tourism boost

The new vessel set to service Labrador's north coast, the Kamutik W, isscheduled to first set sail in June after being overhauled inside and out.

Named for an Inuit sled designed to travel on snow and ice, the ship has had two custom ramps installed to service the seven ports it will be visiting.

"It's a tool that Labradorians have used for centuries to move people and goods along the coast.So, we thought it was a very appropriate name for a new ship that's coming," Peter Woodward told CBC Radio's Labrador Morning.

Compared to the aging MV Northern Ranger, which launched in 1986, and the47-year-old Astron,theKamutik Wis just eight years old. The roll-on and roll-off ferry, built in Norway, will replace both a cargo shipand a ferry service.

The vesselis an ice-class 1A ship built for northern climates, andWoodwardaddedthey have employed a cruise ship fabricator to help refit the80 cabins on board, including two reserved for wheelchair accessibility and three VIP cabins.

"There aren't a lot of ice-class ships built. There are certainly not a lot of ice-class ships that are built byNorwegianyards," he said.

"It's a very efficient, very good design ... We're getting a ship that travels at 13 knots that will burn one quarter of what thefuel that was burnedon the Astron."

Capacity increase

Along with being a relatively young vessel, with the new boatcomes increased capacity forboth cargo and passenger carrying.

"Thisvessel will actually have four times the freight capacity that they've had in the past," Woodward said.

"It will do twice as many trips to the coast. It will call every port, with the exception of Nainwhich is at the end, twice a week."

A maximum of nine tractor-trailers can be carried by Kamutik Was cargo, and the vessel will carry twice as many passengers up to 300 people as the MV Northern Ranger, Woodwardsaid.

As for travel cost increases,Woodwardsaid there's no indiction that fares will go upbut government is currently looking into pricing.

Hopes for increased tourism

Woodwardbelieves theKamutik Wwill be a great opportunity for campers, hikers and tourism in general.

The ferry will operateunder a first-come, first-serve basis with most cargo trailers booking well in advance. However, passengerscan also reserve space.

"If you want to go to Nain and spend a week in Nainyou can take yourvehicle or R.V. with you. Same forMakkovik, Postville, Rigolet, all of those places," he said.

However, Woodwardadded, the ferry is there for thecommunitiesfirst.

"This is a very heavily subsidized service by the provincial government, so the first priority goes to making sure the needs of the coastal communities are met," he said.

Read more articles from CBC Newfoundland and Labrador