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

carriejonesbooksFebruary 19, 2026February 19, 2026Leave a comment

Bar Harbor Council Backs Push to Drop Pilot Requirement on CAT Ferry Pilots Decry Council’s Action

news

Legislative Committee Divided Over CAT Ferry Pilot Rules.

Majority looks to having state pay for the expense. Carrie Jones Feb 15, 2026 The Bar Harbor Story is generously sponsored by Havana. AUGUSTA—The recent back-and-forth over whether pilots need to be on The CAT ferry has taken a significant turn. Last week, the state legislature’s transportation committee mostly came out in favor of a tweaked bill that still requires pilots on the CAT as it … Continue reading Legislative Committee Divided Over CAT Ferry Pilot Rules.

carriejonesbooksFebruary 15, 2026February 15, 2026Leave a comment

news

Debate Over Harbor Pilots Rekindled as CAT Ferry Hopes for Regulatory Change

Maine Commission May Hear Request to Exempt Bar Harbor Ferry From Pilotage Rules Carrie Jones Jan 04, 2026 BAR HARBOR—In a December 31 memo to the Maine Pilotage Commission, Bay Ferries Unlimited President Mark Wilson requested a discussion about LD 1477, which is “An Act to Provide an Exemption from Pilotage Requirements for Passenger Ferry Service Between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia.” Bay Ferries Request … Continue reading Debate Over Harbor Pilots Rekindled as CAT Ferry Hopes for Regulatory Change

carriejonesbooksJanuary 4, 2026January 4, 2026Leave a comment

news

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

carriejonesbooksNovember 21, 2025November 21, 2025Leave a comment

Uncategorized

Fewer Canadians Are Coming to Maine This Summer on the CAT

A “significant drop” in Canadians visiting the U.S. this summer has resulted in a drop in business of nearly 20 percent for the seasonal ferry that operates between Bar Harbor and Nova Scotia, according to the ferry operator. Continue reading Fewer Canadians Are Coming to Maine This Summer on the CAT

carriejonesbooksJuly 15, 2025Leave a comment

Uncategorized

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

carriejonesbooksOctober 19, 2024Leave a comment