Executive Council
Transportation and Works
March 13, 2015
Paying Tribute to History through New Infrastructure
New Ferry to Service Fogo Island and Change Islands Receives a Name
To celebrate Canadian men and women in uniform, both past and present, the new ferry that will service Fogo Island and Change Islands will be named the MV Veteran. The new ferry, which will arrive in fall 2015, will also celebrate the contributions of four notable women and men from Fogo Island and Change Islands. The new vessel was named today during a ceremony attended by the Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; the Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works; the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame; town officials and ferry committee members.
“Recent tragic acts of violence in Canada are reminders of the valiancy of all those Canadians who wear a uniform and serve our great country. Their sacrifices, as well as the sacrifices of our veterans, have left an indelible mark on our society, and for that we must be forever grateful. The name the MV Veteran is a tribute to that service and to those who continue to serve our province and country at home and abroad.”
- The Honourable Paul Davis, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
At the naming ceremony, Premier Davis announced that the observation deck and two passenger lounges are named after four prominent individuals from Fogo Island and Change Islands.
On the MV Veteran, the observation deck will be called the A.R. Scammell Observation Deck, while the passenger lounges will be called the Margaret Cobb Lounge and Chaffey-Miller Lounge. Information on the honoured individuals is outlined in the enclosed backgrounder.
“The addition of the MV Veteran to the provincial fleet of ferries will significantly improve our ability to deliver more reliable service to residents and businesses in Change Islands and Fogo Island upon its arrival later this year. As part of welcoming this new element of our province’s transportation infrastructure, it is appropriate that we celebrate the tremendous contributions of four notable women and men from the region which will benefit from this new ferry.”
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and Works
The MV Veteran, as well as the MV Legionnaire which will begin service to Bell Island in February 2016, are under construction at Damen Shipyards in Romania. The use of these names reinforces the pillars outlined in Honour 100, which was launched in 2013 and commemorates the centennial anniversaries of the First World War through to 2018. Honour 100 is organized into five pillars – anniversaries, education, legacy, outreach, and research and development.
“I am delighted that our government’s commitment to build a new ferry for the people of Fogo Island and Change Islands has reached the stage where a name is required. In naming our new vessel the MV Veteran, we pay respect to the men and women who served to protect our country, our province and the Islands. By inviting residents to name the observation deck and two passenger lounges, a part of the local history will be displayed to the travelling public which will enhance the pride of residents in their historical Island communities.”
- The Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Natural Resources and MHA for The Isles of Notre Dame
Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes $71.5 million for ferry vessel replacement and ongoing maintenance and $8.5 million for improvements to marine terminals and wharfs. These investments are a part of a multi-year initiative to replace and upgrade marine infrastructure.
QUICK FACTS
- The new ferry that will service Fogo Island and Change Islands has been named the MV Veteran.
- On the MV Veteran, the observation deck will be called the A.R. Scammell Observation Deck, while the passenger lounges will be called the Margaret Cobb Lounge and the Chaffey-Miller Lounge.
- The MV Veteran is scheduled to arrive and start service for Fogo Island-Change Islands in fall 2015.
- The new ferry will be a 14-knot, 80-metre ice-class vessel with roll-on, roll-off capability and a capacity to carry 200 passengers and 60 vehicles.
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Media contact:
| Heather MacLean Director of Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3581 heathermaclean@gov.nl.ca |
Donna Ivey Special Assistant, Communications Office of the Premier 709-729-3551 DonnaIvey@gov.nl.ca |
|
Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 JacquelynHoward@gov.nl.ca |
Deborah Chaulk Constituency Assistant to Honourable Derrick Dalley MHA for the Isles of Notre Dame 709-884-1226 DeborahChaulk@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
Names Selected for the New Ferry, as well as its Observation Deck and Passenger Decks
The observation deck is named after A.R. Scammell, who was born on Change Islands and was a prominent feature in Newfoundland and Labrador’s arts community. A recipient of the Order of Canada, Mr. Scammell composed the Squid Jiggin’ Ground, which was played on the clarion of Parliament Hill at the ceremonies marking the province joining Canada.
One passenger lounge is being named after Captain Fred Chaffey and Captain Patrick Miller who both operated a ferry service that connected Change Islands and Fogo Island to mainland Newfoundland for many years.
A second passenger lounge is being named after Margaret Cobb who worked as a nurse on the Easter Seal and later on Fogo Island for many years. Ms. Cobb acted as a mid-wife, administered medications and treated residents at her home and at her patients’ homes.
2015 03 13 11:45 a.m.