The Margaret’s Justice Ferry provides service between Freeport, Long Island and Westport, Brier Island in Nova Scotia. The run is an 8 minute coastal transit that can have tides up to 25 feet. The ferry is a double ended passenger and car self-propelled ferry. The Margaret’s Justice is the newest addition to the Nova Scotia Department of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal (NSTIR) and will allow the aging Joe Casey ferry to be put into stand by service as a spare for the fleet in southwestern Nova Scotia.
The ferry was designed by E.Y.E. for NSTIR in 2012. The ferry was built by A.F. Theriault in Meteghan NS, completed in 2016 with EYE providing the onsite representation and technical advisor services for NSTIR. The ferry entered service in 2017 and was registered with Transport Canada at that time.
Particulars
| LOA: | 34.3 metres |
| Beam: | 12.5 metres |
| Depth: | 2.4 metres |
| GRT: | 295 |
| Vessel Type: | Passenger/Car Ferry |
| Complement: | 96 passengers 3 crew – (99 total) |
| Classification: | Home Trade III (Near Coastal II) |
| Main Engines: | 2 x 385 BHP @1800RPM CAT C12 |
| Propulsion: | 2 Voith drives Model# 12R4 EC/75-1 |
| Cruise Speed: | 9 knots |
| Max Speed: | 11 knots |
| Fuel Capacity: | 17 328 litres |
| Water Capacity: | 6920 litres |
| Owner: | NSTIR |
| Shipyard: | A.F. Theriault and Sons Ltd. |
Machinery and Auxiliary Systems
The ferry is fitted with two Caterpillar C12 engines that each drive a Voith Schneider Propeller. The speed and direction control are done through two joysticks at the helm, each one controlling an engine/propeller combination. The propulsion system is fitted with two large touch screen displays in the wheelhouse which provide all the information surrounding the system from lube oil pressure to pitch and RPM and many more.The cooling for the propulsion system is provided through box coolers.
The void spaces below the car deck are all fitted with forced air heaters which use the engine cooling circuit to heat the spaces and help in the winter with the ice and snow clearing from the car deck.
The electrical power on board the ferry is provided by two generators (76kW) arranged for non-parallel function. There is a connection for shore power when the ferry spends prolonged time at dock or in a shipyard.
Outfitting
The ferry is outfitted with all Transport Canada required safety appliances, pollution control gear and navigational equipment. The cathodic protection on board the ferry is provided through an impressed current system along with anodes where necessary.
As the ferry provides 24-hour service between the islands the crew space has been outfitted with all the required galley equipment to allow the crew to work the extended shifts required.
Construction
The ferry is steel construction with an aluminum wheelhouse supported by a gantry structure over the car deck. The ferry scantlings were designed in accordance to ABS Rules for Building and Classing Steel Barges.
Margaret’s Justice was built in compliance with the International Load Line Convention and was marked in accordance with the regulation and under TCMS supervision.
Design Drawings
Vessel Pictures
A picture of the old and new, Margaret’s Justice is seen behind the Joe Casey
