Some panic for Grand Manan residents after the island nearly ran out of gasoline heading into the weekend.
The village was informed on Thursday that the island’s lone gas station would likely run out of fuel on Friday.
To make matters worse, the next dangerous goods crossing on the ferry was not scheduled to happen until Sunday.
Coastal Transport received permission to make a dangerous goods crossing on Thursday night, but there was no commitment from Irving Oil that they would be able to deliver.
However, about two hours later, the village posted an update that there would be a fuel supply delivery that night, preventing the island from running out of gasoline.
“Issues with gasoline supply to the island has been an ongoing issue,” the village said in its post, adding that it has worked with the province and Coastal Transport to increase the frequency of dangerous goods crossings.
“This increased frequency meant that the existing storage on the island could accommodate the needs of the community – if the tanks were filled each trip.”
Officials noted that during the last dangerous goods crossing, the local fuel station was sent 10,000 litres less of supreme, about one week’s supply.
The bulk fuel storage ordered four tanks but only received three, something the village said consistently happens with deliveries each month.
“This isn’t a capacity issue; it’s a supply chain issue with people who do not understand the reality of islands,” said the post.
