Transportation and Works
May 19, 2016
Public Advisory: Update Provided on Portugal Cove-Bell Island and Farewell-Change Islands-Fogo Island Ferry Services
Residents and travellers are advised of the following updates regarding ferry services at Portugal Cove and Bell Island, and Fogo Island and Change Islands.
Portugal Cove-Bell Island
Construction is well underway on wharf upgrades in Portugal Cove and on Bell Island to accommodate the new ferry MV Legionnaire. The timeline for this project has been extended due in part to the addition of a new mooring system for the vessel and on additional dredging and rock work being required at the Portugal Cove ferry terminal. The ongoing upgrades at these ferry terminals are essential to the safe and effective operation of the new MV Legionnaire. The wharf work is expected to be complete by the end of 2016.
The MV Legionnaire is presently in Romania awaiting final completion. Repairs being made to the MV Veteran will also be undertaken on the MV Legionnaire. A date for the Legionnaire's arrival in Newfoundland and Labrador has not yet been determined.
Farewell-Change Islands-Fogo Island
While repairs are being made to the MV Veteran, the MV Capt. Earl W. Winsor is expected to return to service. Repairs and maintenance on the Winsor, along with the necessary safety and regulatory approvals, are expected to be completed and in place in early June. This date will be confirmed in the coming days and a further update will be provided if necessary. The vessel will operate by the stern ramp only.
Repairs to the MV Veteran are now expected to be completed by the end of May. The vessel will then undergo extensive testing to satisfy all parties that it is operating without risk of further issues. Once testing is complete, the vessel will go back in service. It is now anticipated that it will be operational in mid-June, assuming no issues are found during the testing period.
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Media contact:
| Jacquelyn Howard
Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca |
2016 05 19 1:00 p.m.