Truckers won’t have to travel with vehicle on Grand Manan ferry: Report
GRAND MANAN, N.B. — Truckers appear to have won a dispute with the operator of the Grand Manan ferry, which had reportedly implemented a new policy requiring commercial truckers to travel with their truck while on-board the vessel.
Traditionally, trucking firms would have separate drivers handle the truck on either side of the ferry trip, saving the cost of paying a driver to travel with the truck while it’s sailing.
Truck fleet managers decried the change, noting it would add significant costs to their operation. CBC has reported their concerns have been heard.
“We have met with Coastal Transport (operator of the ferry service) and they have agreed to allow truckers to continue past practices until a solution can be found,” a Department of Transportation spokesperson said in an e-mail to CBC News late Tuesday. “They will be bringing us a proposal to resolve this issue.”
Reports indicate Coastal Transport was unhappy with delays in offloading trucks and trailers, which would cause the ferry service itself to go off schedule.
It was also reported by CBC that Coastal Transport was nervous about being held liable for any damage to equipment or cargo while the truck is onboard the ferry.
For more info, see the CBC report here.
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I would like to know what “until a solution can be found” means. A solution to what? As long as the drivers are there, on each side, there is no problem in need of a solution. If the drivers aren’t there, fine the company, I can bet when facing a fine, the company will do everything in their power to keep from holding the ferry up.
As far as Coastal being held liable for any damage to equipment or cargo, the recording at the first of the trip says that no one is allowed on car deck during the passage (except one of the crew on car deck watch)…so how can truckers be held responsible rather than Coastal when they aren’t allowed to stay with their truck?