Fogo Island ferry 'nightmare': Second vessel to help with MV Veteran issues

A second ferry is going into service on the Fogo Island-Change Islands run on Friday, to help alleviatethe litany of problems the MV Veteran has encountered in recent weeks.

"It's been almost one nightmare after another," said Derrick Bragg, the MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels.

"We've been overwhelmed with issues. From the breakdown, to broken washrooms, to scheduling issuesto dogs roaming the lobby. If you can think about it, Ithink I've heard it."

• Slow going as MV Veteran returns to Fogo Island service

The Veteran resumed its run on July 6 after sitting out for nearly three months' worth of repairs. The $50-million ferry has been out of service four times since it arrived in Newfoundland and Labrador in December.

Bragg said the latest problems involve loading, as crews get used to the new vessel, coupled with high tourist traffic creating waits of up to four or five hours.

"The actual loading takes much longer. The ferry runs faster, but the time it takes now to get over and back, it's probably40 minutes more than what it was," he told CBC Radio's Central Morning.

"We can't maintain the schedule, and trying to maintain that schedule has caused a lot of grief."

NorconGalatea to the rescue

The much smaller MV Norcon Galatea is scheduled to be added to the run on Friday, to provide more crossings and carry between 20 to 25 cars on each trip.

"We're hoping that can alleviate a lot of the backlog and bring us up to speed while we're working out the loading issues with the Veteran," said Bragg.

Bragg said contractors are also en route to the Farewell ferry terminal to fix the plumbing issues that have put its toilets and fountain out of service.

Amid all the deluge of complaintshe's received,Bragg said he is constantly working with the Department of Transportation and Works, andpleaded for patience from passengers.

"Everyone is trying as hard as they can, and people maynot believe that, but we're trying to work through this as best we can."