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Transportation and Works
November 29, 2010

First New Provincial Ferry Enters Final Phase of Construction

The first of the Provincial Government's two new medium-size ferry vessels, currently under construction at the Kiewit Offshore Services, Cow Head Facility near Marystown is entering the final phase of construction. The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Transportation and Works, visited the facility today to view the load out of the first vessel. He was joined by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture and MHA for Burin-Placentia West; the Honourable Darin King, Minister of Education and MHA for Grand Bank; and, Calvin Peach, MHA for Bellevue.

"It is great to have the opportunity to see the first of these two new vessels now entering the final phase of construction," said Minister Hedderson. "Once completed, they will be state of the art and serve the people of the province for many years to come. These are the first ferry vessels to be constructed within the province in nearly 20 years and we are certainly looking forward to putting them into service."

As it entered the final phase of construction, the first vessel was moved out of the fabrication building at the Cow Head Facility for the first time since construction began. Today it will be loaded onto a barge which will be used to transport it to the old Marystown Shipyard. Later in the week, it will be lowered into the water via the synrcrolift at that facility.

From there, it will be towed back to Cow Head where the vessel's interior will be completed at dockside over the next six to seven weeks. It will then undergo several days of sea trials before the Provincial Government formally takes receipt of the completed vessel which is expected to take place in late January 2011. The Provincial Government's second new medium-size vessel, also under construction at the Cow Head Facility, is expected to be completed in early March 2011.

"This will be the first ferry vessel to be completed in the province since the MV Flanders was constructed here in Marystown in the early 1990s," said Minister Jackman. "The entire Burin Peninsula region is benefiting from the construction of this vessel and its sister ship still under construction at Cow Head. Once completed, I am confident both vessels will be a source of pride for this region and its workforce for a long time to come."

"As construction on this first vessel enters the home stretch, we eagerly anticipate its completion and the opportunity to celebrate that achievement," said Minister King. "Both vessels under construction are impressive indeed and speak to the ability of our workforce to undertake major fabrication work and to deliver quality products."

"It is great to see this first new vessel outside the fabrication building," said Mr. Peach. "The progress to date is the fruit of the hard work of a great many people from throughout the region and I am confident that this will be an impressive vessel once it enters service."

Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future allocated a record $1 billion for provincial infrastructure investments, for a total infrastructure strategy valued at more than $5 billion over the next several years. As part of this investment, $55 million is allocated in 2010-11 to continue with the vessel replacement strategy. Including these medium-size vessels under construction, the Provincial Government is currently engaged in various stages of work towards the construction of ten new vessels for the provincial service.

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Media contacts:

Roger Scaplen
Director of Communications
Department of Transportation and Works
709-729-3015, 697-5267
rogerscaplen@gov.nl.ca 
Andrew Tobin
Executive Assistant to
Hon. Clyde Jackman
MHA Burin—Placentia West
709-729-7967
andrewwtobin@gov.nl.ca 
 
Corey Parsons
Constituency Assistant to
Hon. Darin King
MHA Grand Bank
709-832-2531
coreyparsons@gov.nl.ca 
Donna Ivey
Communications Manager
Government Members Office
709-729-0898, 697-1424
donnaivey@gov.nl.ca

2010 11 29                                                  10:35 a.m.
 


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