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| Top: The Leif Ericson reverses onto her berth in Port aux Basques. |
| Above & below: The information desk in the lobby, adjacent to which can be found the ship's builder's plate (below). |
| Above: The starboard-side seating area for The Pantry. |
| Whilst the Leif Ericson seems entirely adequate for her current role, her long-term future is, along with that of Marine Atlantic itself, in doubt. In 2005, the Marine Atlantic Advisory Committee recommended to the government that three new larger ro-pax ships be built to replace all the existing fleet and this was followed by Marine Atlantic themselves issuing a “request for proposals” from shipbuilders for a variety of fleet renewal strategies. The politicians have now intervened again and the federal government announced it was preparing a “revitalization strategy” of which more details would be provided this Autumn. Whatever happens, it seems that replacement ships are very much on the agenda – one rumour we heard was that two new ships would be built to replace the Caribou and ‘Smallwood’ with the ‘Ericson’ assuming a third ship role for which she would be fairly well suited. In any event, it will be interesting to see what becomes of the ships which come up for sale. [text continued on next page] |
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| Above: The Pantry's walk-through servery. |
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| Above: Just forward of this remains a small lobby area with the familiar Stena carpetting. |
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| Above: Linking the main open-plan accommodation space with the port-side lobby area forward is this arcade. |
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| Above & below: Two views of the forward reclining seat lounge, once the ro-ro drivers' restaurant. |
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| Above & below: Sleeping accommodation is made up of a small area of couchettes adjacent to the forward lounge (above) and the original cabins on Deck 6 above (below). |
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| Above: The Stena ship logo, still visible on the ship's funnel beneath layers of blue paint. |
| Above: The Leif Ericson at North Sydney. |
| Above & below: The very top deck, aft of the bridge, has been opened up by Marine Atlantic for passengers use; although a little the worse for wear (above) this area offers commanding views. |
| CANADA, SUMMER 2006 Part One continued: Leif Ericson Port aux Basques – North Sydney Text and all pictures © matt@hhvferry.com except where stated |