MV Veteran mechanical problems 'not out of the ordinary', minister says

The newFogo Island-Change Islands ferry, the MV Veteran,is out of commission again, although the Newfoundland and Labrador government says it has plans to deal with the setback.

• MV Veteran tied up with mechanical problem

Transportation and Works Minister Al Hawkins saida plane will fly between Gander and Fogo Island with ahelicopter servicingChange Islands.

Although these services come at a hefty cost, Hawkins said the vessel is still under warranty, which eases the blow.

"We're running about $10,000a day as a cost for the flight services," said Hawkins.

"Right now we're fortunate that everything is covered under warranty for that particular vessel so there's no cost to the province, so we're working with that."

Hawkins said crews are investigating a mechanical issue withthe starboard propulsion unit and doesn't know how long the Veteran will be out of service, as the issue is still being assessed.

We're just hoping the bugs that we're having now arecleared up as quicklyas possible.- Al Hawkins

While it is frustrating, he said it's also normal for a new vessel to experience some rough seas.

"We were expecting the new ferry and clear sailings but hey,these things happen," Hawkins told the CBC's Central Morning Show Tuesday.

"Anytime you have issues and problems there is concern, but we're being told this is not out of the ordinary we're just hoping the bugs that we're having now arecleared up as quicklyas possible."

Series of setbacks

This is the fourth time there have been issues with the MV Veteran.

The $50-million vessel first ran into trouble on its maiden voyage from the DamenShipyard in Romania, afterits engine failed.

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

Two weeks ago, residents had to be flown by helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft back and forth from the island after fire knocked the vessel out of service yet again.

The Veteran's sister ship, the MV Legionnaire, is expectedto be on the Bell Island run in Marchbut Hawkins said these issues do not have himworried about thatnextvesselsoperation.

He added thattravellers shouldcheck with the department'swebsitefor updates on the status of the vessel and flight information.