Repaired Veteran heads out on sea trials, no date for return to Fogo

The beleaguered Fogo Island ferryVeteranheaded out on sea trials Wednesday, weeks later than expected, and there is still no date for return to service.

"Final checks and testing will begin today through sea trials which will take approximately two weeks in both St. John's and Fogo Island and Change Islands," said the department of Transportation and Works in a news release.

"A date for return to service will be determined as sea trials progress."

The Veteran has been docked on the St. John's harbourfrontsince early April, after the latest problem with its portthruster.

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Prior to Wednesday, the department had said repairs would be concluded and sea trials done by the end of May.

The Captain Earl W. Winsor has been pinch-hitteras a replacement vessel on the northeast coast.

The $50 million Veteran has been plagued by mechanical problems since the province took delivery in December2015, and has been taken out of service four times since.