Government realigns ferry fleet to ensure quality service for users

Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and Works, today announced government�s plan to realign the province�s ferry fleet, in order to ensure quality service for users. The MV Windsor had been serving the Fogo Island and Change Islands runs and had to be taken out of service for emergency repair.

According to Minister Rideout, "In order to address the maintenance and repair needs of the MV Windsor and ensure a substantive service is maintained to Fogo Island and Change Islands, it was necessary to realign some of the fleet. Consequently, yesterday, we began a three-point service to Fogo Island, Change Islands and Farewell, using the Hamilton Sound and Sound of Islay."

Due to ongoing annual refits of the marine fleet, the MV Beaumont Hamel and the MV Green Bay Transport are currently on dry dock. The ferry service from Long Island to Little Bay Island has been converted to a four-point service, provided by the Inch Iran. The Island Joiner is being moved to St. Brendan�s to replace the Sound of Islay, which is more suitable for the Farewell-Change Islands service. The Flanders will continue to serve Bell Island, with extended service to cover that previously offered by the two vessels.

Finally, the minister stated, "Government continues to be committed to offering access to quality ferry services for all those using the transportation system within the province. If the repairs are minor, we hope to have the MV Windsor back in service in approximately two weeks. When it returns to service, regular ferry routes will be resumed by all vessels."

• Update on status of ferry realignment

Media contact: Lori Lee Oates, Communications, (709) 729-3015

2004 05 17                          1:45 p.m.