'We do have a lemon': Fogo ferry users frustrated by problems with MV Veteran
Air service scheduled to start Tuesday morning
Residents of Fogo Island and Change Islands are frustrated that their new ferry, which has been plagued with mechanical problems since it launched last year, is once again out of service.
- MV Veteran undergoing sea trials, final repairs being made
- MV Veteran mechanical problems 'not out of the ordinary', minister says
The Department of Transportation and Works says the MV Veteran has to come to St. John's for more repairs — this time for the port thruster.
"This is crazy. It is devastating," said Maureen Lynch, a Fogo town councillor and chair of the transportation committee.
"We thought for sure when we got it back this time everything was going to be good, but obviously I guess we do have a lemon."
1/3 The MV VETERAN, which services Fogo Island/Change Islands, is out of service due to a mechanical issue with the port thruster.
—@TW_GovNLThe MV Beaumont Hamel will be the replacement vessel for the Veteran and air services are planned to get people back and forth from the islands.
A news release from the department of Transportation and Works said fixed wing flights will begin on Tuesday, with a 7:30 a.m. departure from Gander and an 8:15 departure from Fogo Island.
Travellers should contact Air Labrador to reserve a seat.
Helicopters will also operate on an as-needed basis from Farewell between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. daily.
'At a standstill'
Lynch said around 200 people were waiting as of Monday to get back to Fogo Island, and many in the town are extremely frustrated.
"Everything is just at a standstill. It's crazy," said Lynch.
Yes things go wrong, and it happens quite often that we need to fix something two, three times.- Jan van Hogerwou
"It's time for government to realize they have to step up and do something drastic here."
Lynch said the town was promised that the MV Captain Earl W. Winsor would be on standby if the MV Veteran broke down.
She said it doesn't make sense to send the Beaumont Hamel, when the Winsor can carry so many more people.
The Veteran was out of service for several weeks recently for similar propulsion unit problems.
The ferry has had several mechanical issues since its maiden voyage in December 2015.
Shipbuilder takes full responsibility
A government spokesperson told CBC that the thruster failures are a "significant concern," adding they are holding accountable ship builders Damen Shipyards and and engine manufacturers Rolls Royce.
Jan van Hogerwou, North American senior executive for Damen Shipyards, said his company takes full responsibility for the problems.
"We will not rest until this vessel is solid and trustable in operation," he said.
Van Hogerwou said the ship is under a one-year warranty, but the company will keep paying for repairs as long as they are necessary — costly as they may be.
"Of course we always hope that this will not happen. Unfortunately they do happen. All that we can do right now is make sure the vessel gets fixed," he said.
"These are very complex machines … yes things go wrong, and it happens quite often that we need to fix something two, three times."
Damen Shipyards and Rolls Royce are under a lot of pressure from the Newfoundland and Labrador government to ensure the vessel is back in service, he added.
Damen Shipyards has also built the province's newest ferry, the MV Legionairre.
Van Hogerwou said any problems they discover on the MV Veteran will be proactively fixed on the MV Legionairre.