Fogo ferry repairs extended, replacement ferry heading in

The Department of Transportation and Works tweeted Thursday afternoon that a replacement ferry will be sent to Fogo and Change Islands, while work continues to repair the MV Veteran.

• Temporary air services for Bell Island, Fogo Island ferry users
• Small fire aboard MV Veteran knocks ferry out of service, expected back Friday

The Veteran, a new $50-million vessel,is tied up at the wharf after a fire damaged a generator Tuesday night.

Transportation officials initially hoped to have partsdelivered Thursday soservice could resume this weekend.

However, repairs are taking longer than expected and the MV EarlWinsoris being sent in as a replacement ferry to begin operating Saturday.

"With a new boat we knew there'd be some challenges but we didn't think they'd be as severe as this," said the mayor ofFogo Island,AndrewShea.

"Wethought there'd be minor tweaks you'd have to do and stuff like that but we've had some significant problems. We're hoping this is the last one."

It's the third major mechanical issue to affect the ship since construction was completed this summer.

Passengers were offered air service by fixed wing or helicopter while the ferry was tied up.

The cost to the province is about $10,000 a day, but passengers paythe same as a ferry ticket.

Supplies running low

The lack of a ferry service meantsome stores ranlow on bread and vegetables.

Cliff Rowe, who has two food trucks waiting to get on the ferry, said Thursday that he is frustrated.

"Apparently with the issues they got they can't carry passengers so I asked them to make a trip with just the trucks, we could pick our trucks up on this side. I could pick them up and deliver freight. And I got a big fat no," said Rowe.

The Minister of Transportation and Works, Al Hawkins, said the fire was in an area close to the vehicle deck, andwas put out by the ferry's sprinkler system.

Hawkins told CBC Radio's On the Go Wednesday that the fire resulted from a mechanical issue.

"Right now what we're doing is a full assessment," he said.