New Bell Island ferry to be named MV Legionnaire

The new ferry for Bell Island won't be ready for a couple more years, but the provincial government announced a name for the vessel on Tuesday.

The province has named the new boat the MV Legionnaire, in honour of the country's veterans and the 100th anniversary of the First World War.

Also featured throughout the ferry will be the names of several famous Bell Islanders.

The observation deck will be named after musician Harry Hibbs.

Also, the Tom Fitzgerald passenger lounge will honour the late radio personality, maybe better known as Big Tom, and his father Tom Fitzgerald Sr., who worked with the ferry service for 40 years.

A second passenger lounge will be named after David "Nish" Jackman, a labour leader and politician in the 1940s and '50s.

A Dutch company is building the new vessel, which is scheduled to be ready for delivery in February 2016.