Sound of Islay, built in 1968, needs $5M fix to hit water

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is facing a tough decision related to its aging ferry fleet whether taxpayers should pour millions into Transport Canada-mandated repairs to make the MV Sound of Islay seaworthy.

• Delays, blown deadlines plague new ferry builds

In the meantime, the troubled fleet is short a key asset.

The Sound of Islay normally operates as a swing vessel, which means it replaces other ferries that have either conked out or are in for scheduled maintenance work.

But according to Department of Transportation briefing materials released through access to information, a routine annual refit of the Sound of Islay last fall turned up big problems.

The refit tender was awarded to a shipyard in Clarenville. The contract was valued at just under $600,000, and was expected to be done in six weeks.

But that didn't happen, according to a briefing note dated Dec. 13, 2015.

A Transport Canada inspector "identified major areas of the underwater hull that are in excess of 25 per cent deterioration, which is the regulatory limit."

The price tag to fix the outstanding problems? A total of $5 million.

And the completion of that unforeseen work is expected to take five months.

Sound of Islay built in 1968

The Sound of Islayfirsthit the water the same yearPierreTrudeau was elected prime minister, and four years before the current prime minister was born.

According to provincial briefing papers, it is the next ferry scheduled for replacement.

Officials are weighing the pros and cons of fixing the vessel.

There is risk in extending the life of thevessel as wiring/piping and other components are subject to required repair and replacement. This could be extensive.- Department of Transportation briefing note

"Once repairs were complete, it is expected that the vessel would have only another five to eight years of useful life but being a 47-year-old vessel, its life cycle is almost complete," the briefingdocument notes.

"There is risk in extending the life of the vessel as wiring/piping and other components are subject to required repair and replacement. This could be extensive. The investment, and ongoing risk in operating a vessel of this condition/vintage, may be better placed in acquiring a new(er) vessel to act as a swing vessel."

However, a newer ship could cost in the range of $20 million to $40 million.

"Availability of used vessels suitable to operate as a swing vessel on the intraprovincial ferry service is very limited," the briefing materials advise.

Other swing vessel also out of service

Transportation Minister Al Hawkins was not available for an interview before deadline Tuesday.

But the department said in an emailed statement that no decision has been made on what to do with the Sound of Islay, noting that it is part of the budget process.

The province's other swing vessel, the MV Norcon Galatea, is also out of service, although it is expected back on the water in a week.

And there have been issues this month with other ferries in the fleet.

• Bell Island ferry repairs aren't expected to be finished until Friday
• Small fire aboard MV Veteran knocks ferry out of service, expected back Friday

The government had to use fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters to provide service to both Bell Island and Fogo Island.