August 21, 1998
(Works, Services and Transportation)


MV Captain Winsor begins service

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Lloyd Matthews, together with Twillingate and Fogo MHA Gerry Reid, today took part in a reception to officially mark the arrival of the new marine vessel, "Captain Earl W. Winsor" to Fogo Island and Change Islands as she prepares to begin service to residents of that area.

"The Captain Earl W. Winsor is a welcome addition to the province's fleet of marine vessels," said Mr. Matthews. "Our commitment to improving marine services is apparent in the acquisition of this vessel, in the extensive refit and in all of the infrastructure improvements to docking facilities in our communities," he added.

Area MHA Gerry Reid says he is pleased to see the Winsor ready to provide passenger service. "The acquisition of the Winsor represents a substantial improvement to ferry services in the region. Residents of this area have waited patiently for the new vessel and I know they are anxious to see the Winsor start providing ferry services to them. Today affords an opportunity for members of the users committee and for residents to come on board and view the vessel," added Reid.

The ferry was acquired last year from the federal department of transportation for a purchase price of $300,000, ending a lengthy search for a replacement marine vessel. This is a tremendous value to the people of the province says Mr. Matthews. "When government first began to search for a replacement vessel, we were looking at an expenditure of between eight and 10 million dollars. Until recently, we were unable to find a suitable vessel within that range. More than 70 vessels in Canada, the US and in Europe were evaluated, however, the best deal we were offered was in the range of $18 million. Purchasing the Captain Winsor for just $300,000 was an exceptional deal. If we wanted to build a comparable vessel it would cost between $23 and $25 million."

Since the province purchased the vessel last year, more than $2 million has been invested to prepare the ferry for the Fogo Island and Change Islands service. "The Captain Winsor is a larger vessel, capable of carrying between 55 to 60 cars. As a result, we've had to do some work on the docking facilities in order accommodate the vessel. Now that this work is completed, the Winsor is ready to start ferry service on the Fogo Island and Change Islands run," added Mr. Matthews.

The Winsor is named after a prominent Newfoundlander with a longstanding service to people in the community. "Captain Winsor served the people of Newfoundland and Labrador in the House of Assembly for 23 years," said Mr. Matthews. "He was elected to the legislature seven times before retiring in 1979. He worked tirelessly for the people he represented, first in Labrador and later for the district of Fogo. Throughout his distinguished and varied career he earned the respect of his peers for his sincerity, dedication and commitment. He remained active in the community through membership on various organizations until his death in 1989."

Contact: Rick Callahan, (709) 729-4860.

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BACKGROUNDERS

Biographical Sketch - Captain Earl W. Winsor

  • Earl Winsor was born in July of 1918 in the community of Wesleyville.

  • He was a veteran seaman, a wireless operator and a coastal skipper. He earned a first class certificate of proficiency as a wireless operator before obtaining his master mariner's certificate. He spent some time as a wireless operator on the Labrador coast and on coastal steamers. He served as a wireless operator during the Second World War.

  • His political career spanned 23 years. He was elected seven times before retiring undefeated in 1979.

  • In 1956, Captain Winsor was elected to the House of Assembly, representing the old district of Labrador North. He was re-elected there in 1959, 1962 and again in 1966. In 1968 he was appointed Minister of Labrador Affairs and became Fisheries Minister in 1970.

  • In 1971 he moved to the district of Fogo. He continued to represent the district until his retirement.

  • In the community, Captain Winsor was a member of the Masonic Order, the Orange Association, the St. John's Board of Trade and the Royal Canadian Legion. He also served on various boards of the George Street United Church.

 

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The MV Captain Earl W. Winsor

  • Formerly the MV Prince Edward, the ferry was built in 1972 for the Prince Edward Island ferry crossing. With the construction of the Confederation Bridge, the province of Prince Edward Island no longer required the marine vessel.

  • It was purchased from the federal government for $300,000 by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1997. The estimated market value of the vessel is $3.5 million, before refit.

  • The "Captain Earl W. Winsor" has a capacity to carry between 55-60 cars and 250-300 passengers.

  • Since acquiring the vessel last year, some $2 million has been allocated for refit to prepare the vessel for operating on the Fogo Island/Change Islands service. This includes engine, electrical and mechanical inspection, installation of ramps for easier loading and off loading of vehicles, in addition to refurbishing and enhancements of on board facilities. Ice strengthening the vessel was also a substantial part of the refit.

 

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General Particulars

Vessel: M/V 'Capt. Earl W. Winsor' (ex. Prince Edward)
Length Overall: 75.9 m (249' 0")
Length BP: 74.7 m (245' 0")
Beam: 16.3 m (53' 6")
Depth: 5.5 m (18' 0")
Draft Loaded: 3.8 m (12' 6")
Displacement Load: Approximately 2,100 tons
No. of Passengers: 250 - 300
No. of Autos: 60
Gross Tons: 1,772
Registered Tons: 927
Year Constructed: 1972
Builder: Ferguson Industries
Main Engine: Detroit Diesel; 2 x EMD x 1600 BHP each
Propulsion System: Kamewa Controllable Pitch; Twin Screw; Twin Rudder
Bow Thruster: One Electric 300 BHP

1998 08 21 10:35 a.m.

 

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