Stannix ferry back in service, regular Halifax Harbour crossing schedule resumes

The Alderney ferry service between Halifax and Dartmouth has resumed its regular schedule.

The ferry schedule in Halifax Harbour has changed for the third time in less than two weeks with a previously out of commission vessel returning to the waters on Friday.

On May 22, the Christopher Stannix ferry was put out of service due to a steering system issue, cutting down the Alderney service between Dartmouth and Halifax to every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes on weekdays.

The service reduction came just a few days after the Vincent Coleman made its return to the harbour after a steering issue put it out of commission in January.

On Friday, the Halifax Regional Municipality said the Stannix received new parts from an international supplier and passed sea trials, which means it will resume regular service and bring the schedule back to every 15 minutes on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Four ferries are now in service on the water: the Stannix, the Vincent Coleman, the Viola Desmond and the Rita Joe.

The Craig Blake, named after the first Canadian sailor to be killed in the line of duty in Afghanistan, is undergoing inspections and repairs, and it is not expected to return to service until later this year.

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