Transportation and Works
February 9, 2016
Provincial Government Provides Update on Fogo Island-Change Islands Ferry Service
The following is an update from the Department of Transportation and Works regarding the incident at Change Islands yesterday evening:
At approximately 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 8, a dump truck carrying a mixture of sand and salt on board the MV Capt. Earl W. Winsor went into the water at Change Islands. The vessel was unloading vehicles and passengers at the time of the incident.
"This is a very concerning incident for me and all staff of the Marine Services Branch. We are extremely thankful that Mr. Snow escaped his vehicle and was safely pulled to the wharf. I spoke with him today and this was certainly a frightening experience for him and indeed for the crew and other passengers who were on the vessel. Safety must be our top priority and we intend to determine exactly what happened and if it could have been prevented. In the meantime, all vessels have been directed to review procedures for docking and undocking."
- The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation and Works
Both Human Resources and Marine Services divisions of the Department of Transportation and Works have taken appropriate measures and are conducting investigations to determine what occurred and if this could have been prevented. This will include the procedures used for docking and undocking of vessels, as well loading and unloading of vehicle traffic.
Occupational Health and Safety, the RCMP, the Department of Environment and Conservation, and Transport Canada were immediately notified of the incident.
Work is now underway to repair the ramp on the MV Capt. Earl W. Winsor and to facilitate the removal of the truck from the water. As per normal protocols, Canadian Coast Guard and East Coast Response have been engaged regarding the clean-up.
The Marine Services Branch is working now to finalize an alternate ferry for the Fogo Island-Change Islands service. Due to weather conditions, there is no air service today. An air service contingency will be put in place as needed and as weather permits.
The department apologizes for any inconvenience experienced by travellers. Further updates regarding the Fogo Island-Change Islands ferry service will be posted online at www.tw.gov.nl.ca/ferryservices/.
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Media contact:
| Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca |
2016 02 09 2:15 p.m.