The ferry MV Holiday Island was evacuated on Friday afternoon after a fire broke out in the engine room earlier in the day.
The ferry left the port of Caribou, NS at 10 a.m., traveling to Wood Islands, PEI The fire started shortly after 11 a.m.
According to Northumberland Ferries Limited, which operates the ferry, the ship’s crew and safety systems contained the fire and there were no injuries.
The ferry ran aground outside the harbor entrance at Wood Islands.
“Out of an abundance of caution and to focus on getting passengers safely ashore, we are suspending all operations on the Wood Islands-Caribou service today,” Northumberland Ferries Vice President Don Cormier said in a statement.
Please note that all remaining Northumberland Ferries sailings are canceled on Friday 22nd July due to an emergency with MV Holiday Island. We are currently safely evacuating passengers and crew and there are no known injuries. We apologize for the inconvenience.
— Northumberland Ferries (@PEIFerries) July 22, 2022
The PEI RCMP also tweeted and asked the public to avoid the area to allow first responders to act.
#RCMPPEI is assisting with an offshore incident near Wood Island Ferry Terminal. The terminal is currently closed. The public is asked to avoid the area to allow first responders to do their job.
— PEI RCMP (@RCMPPEI) July 22, 2022
Passengers were evacuated from the ship using inflatable slides to reach the rafts below. All passengers have left the ship and been brought ashore. The Coast Guard remains at the scene.
According to the Joint Rescue Coordination Center Halifax, 182 passengers have disembarked safely, while 18 crew members and seven local firefighters remain on board.
A press conference is expected later on Friday.
This is a developing story. More to come…