Port Manager Art MacDonald says that the vessel service requirements and supplies are readily available at Souris and the Harbour Authority is pleased to expedite the vessel’s requirements for this winter.

Denis Thibodeau, SHAI’s Chairman says the Dutch Runner is ideal for short sea shipping 40 ft. containers because it has both loading cranes and roll on/off ramps.  It can be used for a container feeder service to and from Halifax and other Eastern seaboard destinations. “SHAI is prospecting companies that may need economical container shipments to and from Prince Edward Island. This type of vessel can be a critical supply link for companies that could establish a manufacturing facility in Souris”.  

 The Souris Harbour Authority has a newly constructed container lay down yard, ample topside storage and berths, warehouse facilities, marine supply services, and other necessary infrastructure for container shipping services.

The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans today joined the Honourable Allan Campbell, PEl Minister of Innovation and Advanced Learning, Members of the Board from the Souris Harbour Authority Inc, and local residents for a grand opening ceremony.

“Our Government is pleased to support infrastructure projects that can help generate and enhance
unique tourism attractions that draw people to our rural communities,” said Minister Shea, on
behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency CACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Our investment in
this special project supports the creation of a new tourism attraction in Souris for Islanders and
visitors alike.”

ACOA invested $50,000 in the project through its Innovative Communities Fund program.

“The Souris Lighthouse has always been one of our town’s most visible landmarks. It’s good to see the lighthouse continue to serve the community as an attraction and interpretive centre for visitors to Eastern Prince Edward Island,” said Minister Campbell. “I’d like to congratulate the Souris Harbour Authority for continuing to lead projects that benefit our community.”

With site work and upgrades to the lighthouse, the historic structure, which also houses ‘Souris by the Sea Treasure’ and ‘Jewels of the Sea,’ now serves as a new tourism attraction for the region. Visitors will learn about the lighthouse and its ties to the community though interpretative materials and have the opportunity to purchase local crafts.

“The Harbour Authority is pleased to create another new business in Souris, creating jobs and bringing more visitors to the area,” said Denis Thibodeau, Chairman, Souris Harbour Authority Inc. “Having attractions like the Souris Historic Lighthouse certainly entices folks to extend their visit which generates economic spin-offs in the town.”

From the lighthouse, guests can enjoy a panoramic view of Colville Bay, the Souris Port, the Northumberland Strait, the Town of Souris, the Isle de Madeleine ferry and, if the weather cooperates, the Cape Breton Highlands.

The Souris Historic Lighthouse is open from June through October.

This weekend’s 40 knot south gales proved no contest for the new Souris Harbour Breakwater. The newly constructed 475 meter rubble mound (rock) breakwater faced its first trial on Saturday and demonstrated its strong wave breaking capabilities. Port Manager and Fisherman, Art MacDonald said that before reconstruction, fishermen could tell what seas they could expect on the strait by looking at the wave spillage over the breakwater. Now, upon completion, the new breakwater is so much larger and higher only limited viewing of wave action from inside the new sea wall is possible.

The 2007, $4 million reconstruction of the rubble mound breakwater involved the supply and placement of 49,000 metric tonnes of new larger amour stone that provides a refortified breakwater that will protect the harbour into the next century. Zutphen Contractors used the 100 metre vessel M.V. Yankcanuck which took eleven trips to Souris carrying armour stone as large as 16 tonne each from Nova Scotia.

The project began mid-July and will be fully completed by the end of October. Funding for the repairs came from the Transport Canada Contribution received by the Authority in March, 2006 when the Souris Harbour and Port was transferred to the Souris Harbour Authority Inc. (SHAI) from the federal government.

“The Authority is pleased to be able to fully meet its commitment to Transport Canada to repair the breakwater as part of the transfer of the port and harbour, says Denis Thibodeau, Chairman of SHAI. Also, SHAI is pleased to invest in a Souris River Enhancement Project which forms part of SHAI’s environmental compliance with this project”.

Brian MacPhee is Chairman of the Authority’s Capital Committee overseeing the project. “As a Souris Fisherman, and SHAI board member, I am very pleased with the new breakwater. We have a larger seawall with much larger armour stone which fully meets and exceeds our design specifications providing safe haven for all port users into the next century”. The design by East Point Engineering specified withstanding any predicted worst storm over the next 100 years.

The Souris Breakwater has been in service for the last 120 years and has undergone a number of repairs and reconstruction. The facility is a vital part of the infrastructure of the Souris Port and Harbour. The Breakwater protects the harbour and all facilities (Ferry, Marina, Fishing, Shipping and Coast Guard station) within the harbour.

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For further information

Gerry Gallant
(902)687-1278
Cell (902)628-9870
Project Manager
Souris Harbour Authority Inc.

One of the most important transfers of a port gets finalized tomorrow in Kings County. The Souris Harbour Authority Inc. (SHAI) becomes the owner of the port and harbour from Transport Canada. This announcement was made today by Gus Clinton, Chairman of the Souris Harbour Authority Inc.

SHAI is a not-for-profit local entity established to own, operate and promote the development of the Port of Souris. In June 2005, SHAI signed a Letter of Intent with Transport Canada to initiate formal negotiations to transfer the ownership of the public port and public port facilities to SHAI. The Port of Souris is one of Transport Canada’s Regional/Local ports slated for divestiture under its Ports and Harbours Divestiture Program.

SHAI receives an upfront contribution of $22.5 million from the Government of Canada to be used exclusively for operational and maintenance costs over the next 15 years. “As the new community based owner and operator representing port users, community groups and the town, Souris Harbour Authority Inc., is now adequately financed to maintain, develop and promote the port in order to make it a viable and dynamic business entity,” says Mr. Clinton.

Danny Ehler, Chairman of the Souris Port Fishermen’s Committee says “the Souris fishermen are pleased with the transfer and look forward to SHAI operating a safe and viable port. Community ownership and management with a sound financial position mean the future direction of the port is based on local needs and opportunities.”

The property includes five wharfs, breakwater, a transit shed, former Coast Guard building, approach roads and harbour bed totalling 460 hectares. The transfer agreement does not include the Transport Canada ferry terminal operated by CTMA.

The Port of Souris is the largest port facility in Prince Edward Island. The primary user of the port is the fishing industry. Thirty-one local fishers use the port as well as many transient fishers throughout the various fishing seasons. Aggregate, in support of provincial highway and construction needs and potatoes in support of the Island’s agricultural industry is also shipped through the port. The port also has a recreational marina operated by the Town of Souris.

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Gus Clinton, (902)687-3239 Chairman, Souris Harbour Authority Inc.

Gerry Gallant, (902)566-1701
Business Consultant, Souris Harbour Authority Inc.