NLIS 4
July 7, 2005
(Transportation and Works)
MV Nonia put into service
Tom Rideout, Minister of Transportation and
Works, today announced that the MV Nonia will go into service as a swing vessel.
The MV Island Joiner has been servicing the four-point schedule between Shoal
Arm, Little Bay Islands, Pilley�s Island and Long Island since the MV Inch Arran
was taken out of service for an annual refit.
To restore a two-vessel service in Green Bay, the Nonia will be positioned at
Little Bay Islands, effective July 8.
"The MV Island Joiner is not currently meeting the demands of the ferry service
required at Little Bay Islands," said Minister Rideout. "We recognize the
frustration associated with this situation. A second vessel is obviously
necessary and our officials have been working diligently to get the Nonia crewed
and into service."
The Nonia recently completed final adjustments and inspection at Lewisporte,
where a crew for the vessel was recently put into place.
"The inspection was finalized this morning and an operation certificate was
issued by Transport Canada," said the minister. "The vessel left Lewisporte
around noon today and should arrive in Little Bay Islands by 6 p.m. this
evening."
Minister Rideout said the Nonia will serve as a swing vessel for the Little Bay
Islands ferry service until the MV Inch Arran has been refitted. It will then
remain as a swing vessel and will be put into service when needed. It is
anticipated that both the MV Inch Arran and the MV Sound of Islay will be back
in service by the end of July.
The minister has also announced today that the MV Greenbay Transport, which
serviced St. Brendan�s and Burnside, has gone into retirement. It has been
replaced by the MV Hamilton Sound.
"To promote the safety of our ferry users, and to avoid mechanical problems and
similar delays in the future, our department has decided to remove the MV
Greenbay Transport from commission," said Minister Rideout. "The Hamilton Sound
will continue to serve as the swing vessel and will continue to operate on the
current schedule until a suitable replacement vessel is acquired."
Minister Rideout said the current issues with the province�s ferries and their
services has prompted The Department of Transportation and Works to take
precautionary measures.
"Our department recognizes that our ferries are very important to the people who
depend on them every day," said the minister. "We are committed to ensuring that
a reliable ferry system is maintained for the people of the province. To that
end, Budget 2005-06 provided $500,000 to complete a vessel replacement strategy.
The department expects to issue an expression of intent proposal within the next
couple of days to select a consultant to complete the strategy."
Media contact: Danny Pond, Communications, (709) 729-1758, 685-3415
2005 07 07
3:05 p.m. |