Torbay, NF

A1K 1L

FROM: Noble Walter L. Bennett

Chair, Transportation Committee 2007

Subject: Marine Atlantic Meeting

On April 23, 2007 I met with Marine Atlantic’s General Manager, Mr. James S. Roche and Ms. Tara Knott, the Director of Public Relations. This meeting was in reference to the letter of January 12^th. 2007. This letter concerned any assistance Marine Atlantic might provide to Shriners traveling to our Province for the Northeast Field Days in September. We discussed in particular the tractor-trailer units arriving in the province.

Marine Atlantic will provide reserved space for tractor-trailers at the regular line-up rate. Reserved space is normally double the cost of the line-up rate. The line-up rate from North Sydney to Argentia will be approximately $1100.00 one way. The one way line-up rate from North Sydney to Port aux Basque is approximately $540.00.

The driving distance from Port aux Basque to St. John’s is 498 miles (800 km), while the drive time from Argentia to St. John’s is approximately one and a half hours. The road trip across the Province can consume approximately 103 gallons of fuel, (390 ltrs) depending on the vehicle’s fuel consumption. Truckers can expect to consume about 30 gallons (113ltrs) driving from Argentia.

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It is vitally important that Nobles book early and inform Marine Atlantic that they are Shriners traveling to this Province. To take advantage of the rate mentioned above they also must arrive at the terminal three hours before loading.

There are five spaces for tractor-trailers available on the ferry which docks at Argentia. There is a reduced number on the ferry which docks in Port aux Basque. The ideal situation would have all units traveling to the province to coordinate their arrival times at the North Sydney ferry terminal. This situation would benefit Marine Atlantic’s reservation system.

Trusting the above information will prove beneficial.

Noble Walter L. Bennett

Chair, 2007 Transportation Committee.