World · Island ferry outageIsle-aux-Coudres ferry collision: Emergency declared as regular crossings stopWritten November 2, 2026 at 5:02 PM UTCWatchTranscript0:07The Joseph Savard hit a dock and severed an island's only regular ferry connection.0:12Just over a thousand residents face disrupted work journeys and suspended classes.0:16Helicopters are carrying people with medical needs.0:18When will the relief ferry begin carrying passengers and how much access can it0:22restore?0:22Just over a thousand people live on0:25IQ's coders.0:26By Monday morning, November second, they had spent more than a day without their0:30regular mainland crossing.0:32Emergency services remained available on the island, with air transport helping0:36people get across.0:37The municipality declared a local state of emergency Sunday evening, November first.0:41It's reportedly set to last ten days.0:43Mayor Christian Dufour says the declaration lets the municipality act quickly to0:47protect residents' health and safety.0:49The Joseph Savard struck the dock at Saint Joseph de La Rive during its scheduled0:53nine A.0:54Crossing Sunday, the ferry operator says an electrical failure affected propulsion0:59before the impact.1:00The collision damaged the hull, putting the island's only operating ferry out of1:03service.1:04Passengers disembarked safely at Saint Joseph de la Rive.1:07And no injuries were reported.1:09The medical helicopter journeys that followed were part of the response to the1:12interrupted crossing.1:13Repair crews first have to temporarily seal a breach in the hull.1:16Only then can they move the Joseph Saver to complete the repair.1:19Getting the ferry ready to carry passengers again requires work on the vessel itself1:23as well as its machinery.1:25The operator initially expected several days of repairs.1:27It's now targeting Wednesday, November fourth for the Joseph.1:30Savard's return.1:32If the work goes as planned, in the meantime, it has dispatched another vessel to1:36restore a crossing sooner.1:37The Radisson normally runs between Quadibeak and Elvis.1:40The operator announced Sunday that it would send the vessel to L.I.O.O.S.1:44Couders the next day.1:45By Monday morning, it had been deployed, with arrival expected toward the end of the1:49morning.1:50The operator said a regulatory inspection finished Sunday evening.1:53Transport Canada certification was also required for the replacement arrangements.1:57A completed inspection alone doesn't confirm every clearance is in place.2:01Nobody has confirmed the first passenger sailing.2:03The Radisson cannot carry heavy trucks.2:05So even a successful restart would leave part of the island's transport needs unmet.2:09Its reassignment also affects travelers elsewhere.2:12The Quebec, Elvis Crossing will operate with one ferry while the Radisson is away.2:16At Col Saint Pierre, classes were suspended Monday because of the ferry breakdown.2:21Preschool and primary school daycare stayed open.2:24Workers also lost their normal route to their jobs, and some traveled to the island2:27by helicopter.2:28Mayor Christian Dufour is worried about fuel and food as the interruption continues.2:32He says the island needs a working boat.2:34The heavy truck restriction makes the replacement vessel's capacity a practical2:38concern for supplies as well as everyday travel.2:40Some islanders caught on the mainland couldn't get home for the night.2:43They stayed in hotels or slept in their vehicles.2:45Helicopters have helped people reach or leave the island, including those who needed2:50medical care.2:50Dufour described two helicopter ambulance departures Sunday.2:54H.2:54Le Charlevoix confirmed three transports since the ferry stopped, moving people in2:58both directions.2:59Those figures may overlap.3:01The Regional Health Authority also requested an urgent evacuation through EVAQ, the3:04Medical Air Transport Service.3:06The Radisson has been dispatched, but its first passenger crossing still hasn't been3:10confirmed.3:10Once operating, it will remain unable to carry heavy trucks.3:14The Joseph Savard's return is targeted for Wednesday, November4, provided repairs go3:19as planned.Read the articleStory timelineHeyDex
