Tow vessel sent to help troubled MV Gallipoli back into water in Clarenville

Burry's Shipyardhas requested a tugboat to help pull the troubled MV Gallipoli into the water.

A department of Transportation and Works spokesperson confirmed in an email to CBCthat a vessel was sent to Clarenville to help tow the vessel, which has been out of service since Sept. 5.

In mid-February, the ferry was left stalled on a marine railway, prompting a shutdown at Burry's Shipyard in Clarenville, where repair work was being done.

Refit more than half done

Occupational Health and Safety issued a stop-work order at the site until an assessment could be done.

The tugboat was to assist with the ferry on Sunday, but the provincial department didn't provide any further details.

The Gallipoli was originally supposed to have a 90-day scheduled refit, but more problems were found, necessitating further repairs to the ferry, which services the Ramea-Grey River-Burgeo route.

In December, Transportation and Works said the ship was expected to return to service in April, but an updated timeline has not been provided since the mid-February setback. In February, a shipyard spokesman said the Gallipoli's refit was more than half complete.

Also at that time, Transportation and Works Minister Steve Crocker said roughly $1.5 million has been spent on the refit, and he expects thetotal cost to reach $3 million.