Nindawayma
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The M.S. Nindawayma was a passenger and automobile ferry on Lake Huron, operated by Ontario Northland Marine Services, an agency of the government of Ontario. She served the Highway 6 route between Tobermory and South Baymouth Manitoulin Island from 1989 to 1992 alongside her sistership, the M.S. Chi-Cheemaun. Originally built in Spain, the vessel passed through several owners and changed names several times before coming into the service of the Ontario government. It now sits, disused, at port in Montreal. However, the Chi-Cheemaun is still the modern ferry running the route, although, Ontario Northland Marine Services was taken over by the Owen Sound Transportation Company which accounts for the old orange, green and blue box pattern that was the outstanding feature on both vessels to be replaced by a green stripe pattern along the side of the Chi-cheemaun.
The reason for the Nindawayma to move into retirement so quickly after being activated on the lakes is because of dissatisfaction, the ship was not designed to be a passenger ferry, it was designed to be a freighter, as such, it rolled in heavy seas, her twin stacks were too low to the deck causing a distinct smell of diesel fuel all over the ship. Her foreign engines were also troublesome, and many sailings were simply cancelled due to mechanical problems. Also, her bow and stern doors were not high enough to accommodate large trucks or transports. All of these reasons caused long lines of passengers and automobiles to be waiting at the various docks, just to go on the Chi-Cheemaun. Basically if it was not an emergency, people would wait for the Chi-Cheemaun
Now, the Nindawayma sits in a port in Montreal rusting away, there were plans for a company based in England to buy her and use her for a cruise ship, however those plans never fell through.
It is unlikely that the Nindawayma will ever go anywhere under the power of her own engines again, and if it does leave the Montreal port, it is unlikely that it will go anywhere except a scrap yard.
Image:Nidawa.jpg The Nindawayma as she was...
Image:Nindawayma-rusting.jpg The Nindawayma as she is...
[edit] External Links
Great Lakes Ferry History [1]
