Turbine recovery from Saint John Harbour in works

Divers have identified the location of two massive power-generating turbines and a transporter that fell into the Saint John Harbour on Wednesday morning, and a recovery operation is now being designed.

Mary Keith, a spokeswoman for Irving Equipment, said engineers and technical personnel from Irving,NB Power and Siemens, the manufacturer of the turbines, are planning the lift and recovery strategy.

"And once that has been done there will be a full assessment of the operational capabilities of the pieces of equipment," Keith said.

The equipment was destined for the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station, which is undergoing a $1.4-billion refurbishment. Irving Equipment was in charge of moving the machinery onto a barge for shipping to the nuclearplant when something went wrong.

NB Power will have to dry out two pieces of big, essential equipment that fell into Saint John Harbour. And it is not yet known if the turbines can be salvaged, once they are dry.

Old turbines 'will suffice" for now: NB Power rep

Heather MacLean, a NB Power spokeswoman, said the company will have to make do with the old turbines that the new ones were supposed to replace.

"They will suffice for the time being, to get us through," MacLean said.

"If we have to have new ones sent to us, and when we're planning for anything, we allow for the replacement of equipment before the useful life has been reached in the event that something could happen."

NB Power does not have an estimate yet on the value of the turbines, but MacLean said it could stretch into the "millions" depending on their condition when they are pulled out ofthe water.At this point, the company does not anticipate any delays in the refurbishment project because of the mishap.

Transport Canada and WorkSafe New Brunswick are investigating the spill. No one was injured.