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Matane-Baie Comeau Ferry Update


Fuse6
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https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.5283510

Thinking about possible trips this winter and a Cote Nord/ Gaspé ride is one of them.

Read last winter here on QR about the break down of the F A Gauthier and then problems with the replacement ferries.

So I Goggled to see what the winter schedule and present situation is. If you read the above article what a disaster and expense this has been for the Quebec government. Hopefully they get the F A Gauthier back in service soon and a predictable service back this coming sled season.

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WOW....Thanks for sharing. Alarming to see the lack of oversight & expense if accurate as written. Such a major expense / investment with insufficient oversight of what should have been a number of persons all with a different objective / specialty as suggested in the article. 

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On 9/15/2019 at 8:16 PM, nyskidooerinnewhampshire said:

WOW....Thanks for sharing. Alarming to see the lack of oversight & expense if accurate as written. Such a major expense / investment with insufficient oversight of what should have been a number of persons all with a different objective / specialty as suggested in the article. 

🤔  

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  • 2 weeks later...

New Ferry discount program announced to encourage tourism for ATV and snowmobiles.

Hopefully operations go better than they did last winter. If l'm reading this announcement correctly the sled would be free and half price for the person so $10.00. Correct me if I have that wrong.

News Release:

Traverse de Matane - More than 50% discount to cross between Gaspésie and Côte-Nord
23 September 2019

A minimum of 50% discount for visitors, snowmobilers, motorcyclists and ATV drivers: the Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) rolls out the red carpet to encourage the public to enjoy the attractions of Côte-Nord and Gaspésie. fall and this winter.

These major discounts will be awarded from October 11 to March 31, in order to support the vitality of the recreational tourism industry on both sides of the St. Lawrence River. This promotional program is in addition to the credits provided to regular customers last spring during a first phase. In total, the STQ will have contributed nearly $ 600,000 to the communities of Côte-Nord and Gaspésie in 2019.

The period covered by the rebates includes most of the hunting season and the entire snowmobile season, during which the marine service was disrupted last year.

These measures, including support for the recreational tourism industry, will accompany the government's already announced digital promotion campaign, which will begin within a month.

citations

"This second phase of measures is intended to allow Côte-Nord and Gaspésie to continue their successful tourism results this summer. These are extraordinary regions for activities such as hunting, snowmobiling and the outdoors. We targeted the regular and commercial clientele with the client credits during the first phase in the spring, and we are now targeting the recreational tourism clientele so that people from all over come to eat, sleep, have fun and spend in these areas. "

"The STQ supports the economies of these regions by implementing promising measures. The entire Gaspé Peninsula and the North Shore will benefit, as the tourism industry generates significant spin-offs in several sectors. "

- Stéphane Lafaut, President and CEO of STQ

The discounts in detail

The campaign has two complementary components.

Visitors staying: 50% discount on rates and free for children

The first part of the campaign targets mainly tourists from outside, but also residents who wish to enjoy the attractions of the neighboring region. Thus, the crossings will be offered at half price for motorists and drivers of recreational vehicles staying at least one night in an accommodation institution on the North Shore or Gaspésie. In addition, children 15 years old and under who accompany them will cross absolutely free.

Free for small recreational vehicles

STQ will also offer free admission for all small recreational vehicles (including trailers when used to transport a recreational vehicle). This measure is specifically aimed at ATVs, which are used by hunters in the fall in particular, and snowmobilers, which represent an important part of winter tourism in these two regions. It also includes motorcycles.

Customers who have already reserved their passage will be able to benefit from the discount, provided that their crossing takes place between October 11, 2019 and March 31, 2020. The discount will be applied at the time of their crossing.

Examples of discounts

For a family of two adults and two children traveling by car and staying at a hostel: 61% off, or $ 44.40 instead of $ 113.40.
For four adult snowmobilers who rented a cottage on the North Shore: more than 85% off, or $ 40 instead of $ 219.60.
For two tourists by car having booked a night at the hotel: 50% discount, or $ 44.40 instead of $ 88.80.
For two hunters who booked in an outfitter, traveling in a van and carrying an ATV in a trailer: 63% discount, or $ 44.40 rather than $ 120.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

i was planning to go to the north shore in February but with all the ferry problems i may change plans, Will wait to see if the F.A Gauthier gets back in service before making reservations!

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The return of F.-A.-Gauthier still expected by the holidays

November 20, 2019 at 7 h 53 min
Reading time: 2 min
Picture of Charlotte Paquet
By Charlotte Paquet
The return of F.-A.-Gauthier still expected by the holidays

Even with no date to provide at this time, the Société des traversiers du Québec continues to ensure that Brother Gauthier will return to service before the holidays.

The Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) remains on course for the return of F.-A.-Gauthier to service before the holidays at the Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout ferry.

"We do not have a date," said Alexandre Lavoie, spokesman for the organization.
As soon as Saaremaa I came into service as a relief vessel at the Matane-Côte-Nord ferry on July 10, 2019, STQ President and CEO Stéphane Lafaut had promised the return of F.-A-Gauthier before winter 2019-2020. The deal has not changed.

Currently, the vessel built at the Fincantierie yard in Italy and inaugurated in the summer of 2015 is docked at the Davie shipyard in Lévis. "He got out of the dry dock. The work that required access to propellers and other equipment below is complete, "says Lavoie.

However, further work must be done before the vessel can return to sea.

Soon a year

It must be remembered that Brother Gauthier, who eventually cost Quebecers $ 175 million, has been out of service since mid-December 2018 due to vibration problems with his azimuth thrusters. In the months that followed, efforts were made to try to identify the source of these vibrations and to understand. Last July, the organization's CEO could not explain the situation.

 

 

From commissioning in July 2015 until it was withdrawn three and a half years later, more than 200 breakages had to be repaired. For a long time, the STQ indicated that with a new vessel of this size and with its multiple components, the appearance of problems to be corrected was normal.

A few months ago, mold problems in the ship's hold were brought to light.

After repeated requests from the Parti Quebecois, the Legault government finally mandated, in September, the Auditor General to investigate the choice of the Italian firm, the construction of the ship and the monitoring activities of the shipyard, among others.

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  • 3 weeks later...

Traverse Matane Baie-Comeau Godbout - imminent return of NM F.-A.-Gauthier

 

December 12, 2019

The Société des traversiers du Québec (STQ) announces that the last stage of the recommissioning of the MV F.-A.-Gauthier will begin tomorrow, Friday, December 13, when the ship will leave Lévis in the direction of Matane.

The final preparation will take place in Matane over the next few days, as well as trials at sea and at the dock. If all goes as planned, the NM  F.-A.-Gauthier would  make his first crossing on duty on Friday, December 20th.

 “We are all really looking forward to the ship's return to service. We reach the goal, since the first crossing is scheduled in a few days. In the meantime, there is still work to be done: we are doing our utmost to ensure that the ship is in order upon its return to service, while respecting our schedule, "said the president and CEO of STQ, Stéphane Lafaut.

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LOL, Groomer  my French not so good but reading article below can figure why Captain Cowboy needs a tow into Matane

And 24 hours later new development 

New twist in the saga of the infamous ferry "F.-A.-Gauthier" which crosses Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout. The CEO of the Société des traversiers de Québec (STQ), Stéphane Lafaut, announced Saturday morning that the return to service of the ferry is once again compromised due to a problem with electric motors discovered on Friday during the trip between Lévis and Matane.

“The engines did not operate within the parameters prescribed by the manufacturer. There are sensors that weren't green [Friday], "said Stéphane Lafaut.

This new problem could delay the return to service of the ferry, originally scheduled for December 20.

 

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22 minutes ago, Fuse6 said:

LOL, Groomer  my French not so good but reading article below can figure why Captain Cowboy needs a tow into Matane

And 24 hours later new development 

New twist in the saga of the infamous ferry "F.-A.-Gauthier" which crosses Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout. The CEO of the Société des traversiers de Québec (STQ), Stéphane Lafaut, announced Saturday morning that the return to service of the ferry is once again compromised due to a problem with electric motors discovered on Friday during the trip between Lévis and Matane.

“The engines did not operate within the parameters prescribed by the manufacturer. There are sensors that weren't green [Friday], "said Stéphane Lafaut.

This new problem could delay the return to service of the ferry, originally scheduled for December 20.

 

 

December 20th........2020!

GutZ

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2 hours ago, MrGutz said:

 

December 20th........2020!

GutZ

right !!!! at the end of the video ....captain said : see you next year ..............................................................................................................................................................................maybe !!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

Another change of ship at the Matane – Côte-Nord crossing
    41
    
 OTHER
Another change of ship at the Matane – Côte-Nord crossing
ARCHIVE PHOTO AGENCE QMI
SIMON GAMACHE FORTIN
Monday, January 6, 2020 07:59
UPDATE Monday, January 6, 2020 07:59
MATANE | The new year begins with a change of ship at the Matane-Baie-Comeau-Godbout ferry. 

The CTMA Vacancier takes over this morning for the maritime connection. It will be in service until January 20. 

He comes to take over at Saaremaa 1 , the permanent relief vessel for the ferry, which must undergo work to maintain its certification. 

The work concerns the ship's fire protection system. They will be carried out in Trois-Rivières. The Société des traversiers du Québec indicates that the ship will then return to Matane to make the maritime connection. 

Work on the F.-A.-Gauthier , the main ship, is underway to resolve the problem of electric motors. STQ CEO Stéphane Lafaut is expected to return to Matane soon to take stock of the work. 

It is unclear at what point the ferry, which has been retired for over a year, will return to service. 

Air shuttles 

The air shuttles between Mont-Joli, Baie-Comeau and Sept-Îles airports are still in service on Monday. The STQ indicated that the complementary air service would be in place until the return to service of the F.-A.-Gauthier . 

For the moment, it is only possible to reserve a seat on a flight on Monday. The STQ told TVA Nouvelles on Friday that other flights will soon be made available. 

The Crown corporation was in touch with its supplier for the final details.

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We have a ferry here in Nova Scotia that is supposed to run between Yarmouth NS, and Bar Harbour Maine.  Our government in its infinite wisdom has had it tied to the dock for almost two years without making a single trip.. Maybe we should offer to rent it to Quebec for that crossing!!  LOL

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9 minutes ago, smclelan said:

We have a ferry here in Nova Scotia that is supposed to run between Yarmouth NS, and Bar Harbour Maine.  Our government in its infinite wisdom has had it tied to the dock for almost two years without making a single trip.. Maybe we should offer to rent it to Quebec for that crossing!!  LOL

We stay in Bar Harbor in the Summer and keep wondering if that thing will ever make a run.

GutZ

 

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  • 1 month later...

We have a plan starting on the 24th to start in Shawinigan and head north to say hi to Bill at the Delta. After that go south to rt. 3 and head for Godbout.  Question is has anyone used the ferry to cross over to Matane. Hopefully it's doing its job.  Want to get across the river and end up down by Quebec city and back to the truck.  Not sure and really don't care how long we will be riding to complete this trip. Any information on the ferry would greatly appreciated.  Thanks in advance. 

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