Princess Acadia berthing tender will cost federal government $500K

The Canadian government will pay a Newfoundland company nearly $500,000 to berth the MV Princess Acadia during the winter.

A tender awarding the $499,758 contract toHeddleMarine Services was issued Friday.

The former Digby-Saint John, N.B.ferry had been temporarily tied up at the former coast guard base at Parker Street on the Dartmouth side of Halifax Harbour.

The ferryis nowdocked atHeddleMarine's facility atSydney Harbour.

• Princess of Acadia ferry seeks winter berthing while awaiting disposal

"The contractor is responsible for care and custody of the vessel and is to monitor and maintain the safety and securityin all regards while the vessel is located at the winter layup berth for the specified period from Oct.31, 2015 to March 31, 2016," the award states.

The tender specifies only a "safe and secure winterlayupberth for the Princess of Acadia that is located in a protected port on the east coast of Canada."

The 146-metre long Princess of Acadia entered service in 1971. She was replaced inJuly by the Fundy Rose, which Ottawa purchased in 2014 for $44million.

Heddle Marine is required to maintain 24-hour security and to remove and dispose of all diesel fuel, ballast water and sewage on board the Princess of Acadia.