Commissioner Doyle’s Remarks at May 12, 2014 M/V NOVA STAR Christening

Contact: David Tubman, Counsel to Commissioner Doyle

“Good Morning, Honorable Mayor Pam Mood of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Minister Zach Churchill, NS Minister of Natural Resources and Canada’s Consul General in Boston, Patrick Binns, and distinguished guests.  I would like to congratulate Nova Star President Mark Amundsen and COO Steve Durrell for their vision and perseverance for starting the service back up after a five year absence of this important New England to Nova Scotia service.  This service from Portland, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia is good news for the Port of Portland and all of New England.  It spurs new economic activity for both countries.  I am a Massachusetts Maritime Academy Graduate.  I served in the U.S. Merchant Marine as an engineer—and I can attest that this is a very nice looking vessel.  On behalf of President Barack Obama and the Administration we offer best wishes in making this a successful service.”

The Federal Maritime Commission is responsible for issuing certificates for Performance and Casualty. The Nova Star service is designed to attract leisure passengers and vacationers.  It is also designed to carry commercial tractor-trailers from Nova Scotia to the U.S.  The aim is to attract trucking companies to utilize the ferry so that drivers can have a rest period while the truck is still moving across the water.  The 10-hour, 212-mile journey may fit the needs of long-haul truckers who are required to rest for 10 hours between shifts.

U.S. Federal Maritime Commissioner William P. Doyle and Nova Scotia’s Minister of Natural Resources Zach Churchill in Boston waiting for the M/V Nova Star to dock.