Transportation and Works
July 4, 2016
Ensuring a Reliable Ferry Service
MV Veteran Returns to Service at Fogo Island - Change Islands - Farewell
Repairs to the port stern thruster of the MV Veteran have been completed
and the vessel will return to service Wednesday, July 6 at Fogo Island - Change
Islands - Farewell. The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Transportation
and Works, and Damen Shipyards provided information today regarding the
repairs undertaken to address issues with the vessel's propulsion system.
"The issues experienced with the MV Veteran have been extremely
frustrating for residents of Fogo Island and Change Islands and for the
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. We were very clear that necessary
actions must be taken to ensure the vessel provides the reliability and
sustainability that it was contracted for. We are encouraged by the work
undertaken by Damen and Rolls Royce. Damen has been fully responsive and
dedicated to getting the vessel back in service and has assured us that the
work completed on the vessel has been thorough and will help ensure greater
reliability in the future."
- The Honourable Al Hawkins,
Minister of Transportation and Works
Over the past two months,
technicians with Damen Shipyards and Rolls Royce have completed an
inspection and detailed assessment and have made modifications to prevent
further issues with the stern thrusters. Rigorous sea trials have also been
conducted in both St. John's and Fogo Island/Change Islands under the actual
operating conditions of the Fogo Island - Change Islands - Farewell service.
Damen and
Rolls Royce investigated several avenues as to the cause of the issue which,
following analysis was determined to be a lack of lubrication of the
bearing. To prevent similar breakdowns from happening again, a range of
improvements have been made to the vessel. Further information is provided
in the backgrounder below.
At the request of the Provincial
Government, Damen Shipyards will extend the warranty on the MV Veteran by
one year and all modifications made to the vessel will also be made to its
sister vessel, the MV Legionnaire. Discussions regarding reimbursement of
costs associated with the MV Veteran being out of service continue with the
company.
QUICK FACTS
- Repairs to the MV Veteran are complete and the vessel will return to service Wednesday, July 6, at Fogo Island - Change Islands - Farewell.
- The cause of the failure of the stern thrusters has been linked to a lack of lubrication to the bearing.
- Actions have been taken to address the issue including the installation of new lubrication lines, gooseneck valves, additional monitoring and alarms, as well as stabilization measures for the pumps.
- The warranty on the vessel is being extended by one year and all modifications made to the MV Veteran will also be made to the MV Legionnaire.
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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
BACKGROUNDER
Information regarding assessment and Repairs to
MV
Veteran
Numerous possibilities were explored by Damen and Rolls Royce technicians
as to the cause of the propulsion system issue. Investigations were
undertaken of production faults or errors, underload and overload (use)
scenarios, the impact of vibrations, the possibility of damage due to high
current/voltage over the bearings, incorrect installation, and lubrication.
To prevent similar breakdowns from occurring again, a range of actions
were taken and improvements made to the stern thrusters and bearing
lubrication process. These actions include the installation of new
lubrication lines, gooseneck valves, additional monitoring and alarms, as
well as stabilization measures for the pumps.
2016 07 04 1:10 p.m.