Details of Labrador ferries released

Works, Services and Transportation Minister Percy Barrett today announced changes to the Labrador marine service. The announcement was made in conjunction with Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Ernie McLean, Cartwright-L�Anse au Clair MHA Yvonne Jones and Torngat Mountains MHA Wally Andersen.

"There are many factors to consider in making this decision," said Minister Barrett. "But I believe the re-configured Labrador marine service will be beneficial to all involved."

"Today�s announcement signals the beginning of a new era for transportation along the Labrador coast," said Minister McLean. "With the completion of phase two of the Trans Labrador Highway between Red Bay and Cartwright this past fall, government is now moving ahead with its policy of providing marine service only to communities that are not connected by road. I believe this is a sound policy, one that will have a positive social and economic impact on all communities along the Labrador coast."

Starting June 2003, coastal Labrador will be serviced by a four-vessel configuration which complements the opening of the Trans Labrador Highway in southern Labrador. Minister Barrett said the vessels will operate within Labrador during the operating season, which runs from the beginning of June to the end of November. He was pleased to announce that in the off season two of the vessels, the Sir Robert Bond and the Northern Ranger, will continue to be docked in Lewisporte.

Minister Barrett said government decided to continue to use the Bond and the Ranger after it called tenders for vessels, but the bids received greatly exceeded budget estimates. Along with the Sir Robert Bond and the Northern Ranger, government will use a container/freighter to service the north coast and a smaller vessel to service those communities along the south coast not connected to a road. The department will tender for these vessels in the coming days.

While the Bond and the Ranger are laid up in Lewisporte during the off season they will require security, which will be provided by the contractor. Every year during the off season the vessels require a maintenance period of approximately four to six weeks. Every second year this maintenance will be done at dockside in Lewisporte. Government anticipates spending approximately $800,000 to $1 million on the Bond and approximately $300,000-$500,000 on the Ranger during dockside maintenance. On the alternate years, the vessels are required by federal regulators to be placed on dry dock for underwater inspections and maintenance. Some dockside maintenance may also be required on the alternate years as well, which will be handled in Lewisporte.

Currently, many of the contractors� dockside maintenance personnel are from Lewisporte and the surrounding area. This is also the case with many of the operating crew for the Bond and the Ranger. These crew members are very experienced, so it is a good possibility many of the same crew may remain employed on the vessels under the new configuration. As the vessels will be stationed in Lewisporte prior to the beginning of the season, it is a possibility initial supplies needed in preparation for the first sailing of each season will also come from the Lewisporte area.

Mr. Andersen said today�s announcement will result in improved marine services for the communities of the Torngat Mountains district: "Today we announce a dedicated marine service for the north coast of Labrador, which will result in a greatly improved service for the communities along the coast. The sea is the main means of transportation for many communities along the Labrador coast, particularly in my district," he said. "I am confident the new service will provide huge benefits to the north coast, and I am pleased government has acted on the recommendations from my district in implementing these changes."

Yvonne Jones, MHA for Cartwright - L'Anse au Clair, said, "The new configuration of marine services will provide a more frequent and a more effective marine service to the people of my district and the north coast of Labrador." She added, "Southern Labrador will become the main transportation route for entry into and out of Labrador to the rest of the province, which will in turn provide a great deal of potential for future economic growth in the south coast district."

"This new configuration will see a more frequent and improved service for Labrador than they have experienced in the past," said Minister Barrett. "As well, our two vessels will spend the off season in Lewisporte, to the benefit of the people in that area."

Minister Barrett said all of Labrador will experience the benefits of a reconfigured marine service and other transportation improvements government has made in the last several years: "We have seen many positive changes in transportation in Labrador over the past several years and have many exciting plans for the future. With a weekly schedule, the north coast will have a much more frequent service than they ever had. Most of the communities along the south coast are connected to the new highway, and those not connected will also have a weekly service. For the people in Labrador West and the Goose Bay area traveling on the ferry to the island, it will be much cheaper to go via Cartwright. They should also reduce travel time by approximately one-third. This year, we hope to start construction of the highway from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to Cartwright, ensuring a highway link across Labrador."

Media contact:
          Lynn Evans, (709) 729-3015
          Bert Pomeroy, (709) 896-8668

2003 01 30                                         5:40 p.m.