The Scotia Prince Has a New Overnight Ferry Plan in the Works. A proposed Portsmouth–Nova Scotia ferry could rival the CAT route that links Bar Harbor to Yarmouth.

Maine Lawmakers Split Over Bill to Help Fund Pilots for Bar Harbor Ferry.

Senate supports measure. Carrie Jones Mar 11, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Choco-Latté Café. AUGUSTA—An act meant to help Bay Ferries and The CAT with expenses incurred from having an onboard pilot received a split reception in the Maine State Legislature this week, finding support in the state Senate but not in the House. The Senate passed the bill to be engrossed … Continue reading Maine Lawmakers Split Over Bill to Help Fund Pilots for Bar Harbor Ferry.

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As Canada Reviews Ferry Contract, Maine Weighs State Support

International Transit Route Could Face Political and Financial Headwinds Carrie Jones Feb 19, 2026 BAR HARBOR—As Bay Ferries continues to seek roughly $325,000 in annual funding from the State of Maine to cover piloting fees for the CAT’s trips between Nova Scotia and Bar Harbor, the Canadian government is simultaneously reviewing a final consultant report on the ferry service prepared by 21 FSP Advisory Inc. … Continue reading As Canada Reviews Ferry Contract, Maine Weighs State Support

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Bar Harbor Council Backs Push to Drop Pilot Requirement on CAT Ferry

Pilots Decry Council’s Action Carrie Jones Nov 21, 2025 BAR HARBOR—At the request of State Representative Gary Friedmann and a lawyer representing Bay Ferries, the Bar Harbor Town Council this week unanimously supported efforts to no longer use pilots to bring The CAT, a high-speed ferry that brings passengers from Bar Harbor, Maine to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia into Frenchman Bay between May and October. The ferry had … Continue reading Bar Harbor Council Backs Push to Drop Pilot Requirement on CAT Ferry

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CAT Hosted More Riders This Season

Oct 19, 2024 Share by Bill Trotter/Bangor Daily News BAR HARBOR—After facing a series of challenges over several years, the CAT ferry in Bar Harbor has wrapped up a third season of increased ridership and stability. The ferry service to Canada, which was once the only major marine operation in town before the cruise industry began to grow in the 1990s, saw its usage increase roughly … Continue reading CAT Hosted More Riders This Season

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Coast Guard Weighs In On CAT Security Zone

Regulations have potential to put hitch in town’s marina plans CARRIE JONES DEC 5, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—Last month, during its meeting to discuss the potential marina on the town-owned site of the CAT ferry on Route 3 (121 Eden Street), members of Bar Harbor’s Harbor Committee learned that there could potentially be issues in the plan. Those issues stemmed from a security zone around … Continue reading Coast Guard Weighs In On CAT Security Zone

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Coast Guard’s Security Zone Could Put a Hitch in Bar Harbor’s Marina Plans

CARRIE JONES NOV 19, 2023 Share BAR HARBOR—The Bar Harbor Harbor Committee met via Zoom on Monday and discussed whether a security zone around the CAT Ferry is a potential problem for the town’s future marina at the same location. The town has been studying options for a public-use marina at the site for years. Dessa Dancy, acting as a member of the public, spoke during … Continue reading Coast Guard’s Security Zone Could Put a Hitch in Bar Harbor’s Marina Plans

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