Fogo ferry repairs extended, replacement ferry heading in
The Department of Transportation and Works tweeted Thursday afternoon that a replacement ferry will be sent to Fogo and Change Islands, while work continues to repair the MV Veteran.
- Temporary air services for Bell Island, Fogo Island ferry users
- Small fire aboard MV Veteran knocks ferry out of service, expected back Friday
The Veteran, a new $50-million vessel, is tied up at the wharf after a fire damaged a generator Tuesday night.
Transportation officials initially hoped to have parts delivered Thursday so service could resume this weekend.
Update Fogo Is/Change Islands ferry: completion of repairs to Veteran extended beyond Friday. MV Winsor expected to enter service Saturday
—@TW_GovNLHowever, repairs are taking longer than expected and the MV Earl Winsor is being sent in as a replacement ferry to begin operating Saturday.
"With a new boat we knew there'd be some challenges but we didn't think they'd be as severe as this," said the mayor of Fogo Island, Andrew Shea.
"We thought there'd be minor tweaks you'd have to do and stuff like that but we've had some significant problems. We're hoping this is the last one."
It's the third major mechanical issue to affect the ship since construction was completed this summer.
Passengers were offered air service by fixed wing or helicopter while the ferry was tied up.
The cost to the province is about $10,000 a day, but passengers pay the same as a ferry ticket.
Supplies running low
The lack of a ferry service meant some stores ran low on bread and vegetables.
Cliff Rowe, who has two food trucks waiting to get on the ferry, said Thursday that he is frustrated.
"Apparently with the issues they got they can't carry passengers — so I asked them to make a trip with just the trucks, we could pick our trucks up on this side. I could pick them up and deliver freight. And I got a big fat no," said Rowe.
Good luck trying to make a sandwich on Fogo Island - food trucks stuck on Farewell while MV Veteran is docked <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBCnl?src=hash">#CBCnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/3fxEOqe9Z4">pic.twitter.com/3fxEOqe9Z4</a>
—@ChrisEnsingCBCThe Minister of Transportation and Works, Al Hawkins, said the fire was in an area close to the vehicle deck, and was put out by the ferry's sprinkler system.
Hawkins told CBC Radio's On the Go Wednesday that the fire resulted from a mechanical issue.
"Right now what we're doing is a full assessment," he said.
With files from Chris Ensing