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Transportation and Works
July 13, 2012

MV Beaumont Hamel Returns to Service

The MV Beaumont Hamel will return to service for the community of Bell Island once sea trials overseen by Transport Canada are successfully completed. Sea trials are scheduled for today (Friday, July 13) and Saturday, July 14. The vessel had been under repair since it lost power and struck the dock in Portugal Cove on May 30.

“Over the last several weeks this vessel has undergone substantial inspection, repair, and upgrading,” said the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works. “Repairs to the exterior are complete, and adjustments have been made to internal systems. Once the vessel passes sea trials and Transport Canada inspections, it will be ready to resume the regular ferry service between Bell Island and Portugal Cove-St. Phillips.”

The inspection and repair process led to upgrades that included the overhaul of electrical breakers and fuel pumps. In addition, two new safety mechanisms were added to the vessel – a monitoring system to alert crew when electrical load fluctuations occur, and an autostart system so that if an engine failure occurs, another engine will compensate automatically.

The Transportation Safety Board and the Department of Transportation and Works are continuing their respective investigations into the incident that took place on May 30. The Transportation Safety Board has advised its report will be completed by June of next year. The Department of Transportation and Works expects to complete its own investigation this year.

“The last few weeks of comprehensive examination and repair have restored the MV Beaumont Hamel to full working order, and I am pleased to see it return to service,” said David Brazil, MHA for Conception Bay East - Bell Island. “Bell Island is the only community that has a two vessel service year-round, and now residents can look forward to receiving service from the two primary vessels for the run – the MV Beaumont Hamel, and the MV Flanders.”

Information on the Bell Island ferry schedule can be found at www.tw.gov.nl.ca/ferryservices/  or by calling 709-895-6931.

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Media contacts:

Jason Card
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015
jasoncard@gov.nl.ca
Tess Burke
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-3551, 699-2402
TessBurke@gov.nl.ca

2012 07 13                                  2:20 p.m.

 
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