The MV Nonia

Marine Atlantic, its predecessor CN Marine, and pre-confederation Newfoundland coastal boats have a strong and proud history serving the people of Atlantic Canada through ferry terminals, passenger vessels and rail service.

In this week’s blog posting we highlight the MV Nonia, a Newfoundland coastal boat that served between 1956 and 1976.

Named after the Newfoundland Outport Nursing and Industrial Association, the MV Nonia was one of the earliest vessels commissioned by the Government of Canada to upgrade coastal ferry services following confederation. Weighing 1174 tonnes and measuring 215 feet in length, the vessel could carry 90 passengers per trip, had 30,000 cubic feet of cargo capacity and could travel at speeds of up to 12 knots. Serving coastal communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, the diesel-powered vessel was a well-known fixture for two decades.