Bell Island’s gas pumps have run dry

These days on Bell Island, getting where you need to go takes a lot more planning than usual. The only place to fill up doesn't have any fuel, forcing residents to take the ferry to Portugal Cove. The planning aspect of it is just so much more stressful, so much more anxiety. On top of the boat and everything else, I have to worry about, is there enough gas in the tank to get me to Portugal Cove? Am I going to run out on the boat? Is my car going to shut off on the ramp? The Bell Island Support Network supports vulnerable people on the island. The organization's executive director says the gas shortage adds an extra challenge. I'm hearing how it's impacting not only folks with vehicles, but folks with other means of transportation as well. And it's also impacting emergency services, so ambulances at the hospital, the RCMP. They're having to go over to Portugal Cove just to get gas for their emergency services. As for the reason behind the fuel shortage, Gas bar owner Dwayne Yetman says he can't say much. That's due to his contract with Irving, his supplier. But he says the high cost of fuel is having an impact. Somebody comes in, we're buying $40 worth of gas. A few months ago, they're still only buying $40 worth of gas. It doesn't change how many liters they're buying. So our sales in liters has really dropped. Cost of everything has gone up. We're still working to get that reasonable to make it beneficial to us to have and also to the community. The town isn't talking, and messages for Mayor Phillip Tobin went unanswered. Some residents say the shortage is a public safety concern. I can get off the island, but not everybody here can, and there are a lot of seniors. So having gas available here on the island, considering that our ferry often cannot run, is crucial for life and safety. It really isn't an option. In a statement, a spokesperson for the Provincial Department of Rural Development says it cannot speak to the specific circumstances of the gas station, but provincial officials remain engaged with the business owner and other relevant stakeholders as the situation evolves. Yetman says he's hoping to have gas back as soon as possible. Bell Islanders say they're trying to be patient, but they can't continue running on empty. Daryl Roberts, CBC News, Wabana.