Bay Ferries Limited ("Bay") and Northumberland Ferries Limited ("NFL") are wholly owned subsidiaries of NFL Holdings Ltd of Charlottetown Prince Edward Island. NFL Holdings is a private company owned by thirty (30) individuals, most of whom are descendents of four (4) families who originally founded the business in 1941. The founding principles of safety, efficiency, quality, community and innovation remain the cornerstone of our corporate philosophy today.
NFL was incorporated in 1939 in Halifax and commenced operating the Wood Islands, Prince Edward Island to Caribou, Nova Scotia ferry service in 1941. This company has continued its eight (8) month per year operational contract with Transport Canada to this date. For over 60 years, we have continuously provided safe and reliable ferry services between Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.
Bay had a successful beginning April 1, 1997 on the Bay of Fundy, having been chosen as the successful proponent to take over the Bay of Fundy services previously operated by Marine Atlantic. This followed a formal Request for Proposals conducted by the Government of Canada in which local and international companies participated.
The Saint John - Digby service has been operated since 1997 with the mv PRINCESS OF ACADIA which was recently the subject of an extensive renovation. The mv PRINCESS OF ACADIA is a conventional ferry which serves a combination of local, touring and commercial truck traffic.
The Yarmouth to Bar Harbor service was served by the conventional ferry mv BLUENOSE in the summer of 1997. In 1998, Bay acquired "The Cat", a new 91 metre high-speed ferry constructed by Incat of Tasmania. This was North America's first high speed ferry of this type. In 2002 Bay Ferries introduced a new high speed ferry to North America by acquiring a 98 meter Evolution 10B design fast ferry, the largest and most modern vessel ever built by Incat. At a cost of US $50.2 million this new CAT renewed our commitment to stay on the leading edge of technological developments and innovation in marine transportation. The Digby - Saint John service operates 12 months per year while the Yarmouth/Bar Harbor service operates approximately six (6) months per year.
Because of its six month season on the Yarmouth/Bar Harbor service, Bay has had the opportunity to introduce new high-speed ferry service to the Bahamas in 2003 - 2004 (under contract with the service operator Bahamas Florida Express Ltd.) and to Trinidad and Tobago in 2004 - 2005 (under contract with the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago).
Our companies operate ferries, maintain ferries and ensure that they meet the highest of standards of safety and environmental protection. This work is accomplished under the direction of a small but capable multi-functional management team, with assistance of our more than 300 direct employees and with the strategic use of specialized sub-contractors.
Our group of companies is recognized throughout North America as an efficient and competent and innovative ferry service provider.
