The Baldur ferry resumed services across Breiðafjörður today after spending recent weeks operating between mainland Iceland and the Westman Islands. Jakob Björgvin Sigríðarson Jakobsson, mayor of Stykkishólmur, welcomed the vessel’s return, saying local tourism operators had struggled during its absence. Original source: RÚV Baldur has resumed its regular Breiðafjörður service.
Stykkishólmur says the ferry’s absence hurt local tourism businesses. The mayor argues Baldur should not be routinely reassigned from Breiðafjörður. Debate Over Backup Role “We are very pleased that Baldur resumes sailing today,” Jakob said, adding that businesses in Stykkishólmur had suffered a “major setback” after the ferry was withdrawn from its regular route earlier this summer.
Baldur had been redeployed to operate alongside the Westman Islands ferry Herjólfur, despite Herjólfur remaining in service throughout the summer. Jakob said the decision had caused frustration among communities around Breiðafjörður, with many questioning why Baldur was removed from its scheduled route when the primary Westman Islands ferry was still operating. According to Jakob, agreements between municipalities around Breiðafjörður recognise Baldur as a reserve vessel for the Westman Islands route when Herjólfur is out of service because of breakdowns or maintenance.
However, he said those agreements were never intended to allow Baldur to be routinely reassigned while Herjólfur continued normal operations. He added that there is broad acceptance that the Westman Islands require a backup vessel, but suggested new ships should eventually be designed and built to fulfil that role without disrupting ferry services in Breiðafjörður. The post Breiðafjörður Ferry Back in Service After Weeks on Westman Islands Route appeared first on Iceland Review.
Summary from source