Old Fogo Island ferry back in service while MV Veteran out for repairs

The ferry that served Fogo Island and Change Islands for 17 yearswas put back on therun Wednesday.

The Captain Earl W. Winsor is temporarily replacing the MV Veteran, while the brand new ship is in St. John's for repairs.

• MV Veteran mechanical problems 'not out of the ordinary', minister says
• MV Veteran tied up with mechanical problem

The MV Veteran ran into trouble with its starboard propulsion unitMonday and had to be tied up.

The Department of Transportation and Works put anair transportation service in place until this alternate plan could be arranged.

While the department isnot sureknow how long it will take to complete repairs on the MV Veteran, government hopesto get the ferryback in service as soon as possible.

Series of setbacks

This is the fourth time there have been issues with the MV Veteran since it arrived on the northeast coast in December.

The $50-million vessel first ran into trouble on its maiden voyage from the DamenShipyard in Romania to St. John's, afteritsengine failed.

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• MV Veteran ferry out of commission for day due to thruster issue

Then, in late December, the ferry wasknocked out of commissionfor a day because of anissue with its thruster.

Two weeks ago, helicopterand fixed-wing aircraft service was brought in after afire knocked the vessel out of serviceyet again.

The Captain Earl W.Winsor will operateon the regular winter schedule while it's in service.