A little ways from home but noteworthy. Via Q97.9 as of 30 minutes ago

Update – Thanks to quick action from fire crews, search and rescue, paramedics, the coastguard and additional agencies the fire appears to be out and no injuries are being reported.

Most people are on rafts/lifeboats and safely headed to shore.

Thank you to the first responders for their efforts on what was no doubt a scary situation.

“Emergency crews are responding for reports of the Nova Scotia/Prince Edward Island ferry on fire. The ferry is currently on the P.E.I. side of the route.

Confirmed working fire. According to reports, they’re loading lifeboats to bring people back to shore.”

.

**** Info via Northumberland Ferries Ltd

Northumberland Ferries Limited reports Holiday Island incident

Don Cormier, Vice President for Northumberland Ferries Limited issued the following statement regarding an incident Friday morning involving the MV Holiday Island:

“Holiday Island was making a scheduled 10am crossing from Caribou to Wood Islands. Just after 11am nearing approach into Wood Islands, the ship experienced a fire in the Engine Room. Ship’s crew and safety systems contained the fire. Captain took necessary precautions and dropped both anchors and directed the ship onto a soft shoal outside the harbour entrance to Wood Islands. There are no reported injuries to customers or crew. Joint Rescue Coordination Center has been informed. We are currently in the process of safely evacuating the passengers in a controlled manner. This is being coordinated with JRCC, Canadian Coast Guard, and local authorities.

Out of an abundance of caution and to focus on safely getting the passengers ashore, we are suspending all operations today on the Wood Islands-Caribou service.

We apologize for the inconvenience to our customers and our focus at this time is the safety of our passengers, ensuring our passengers are safely evacuated ashore and the safety of our crew.”