Ferry grounding causes schedule changes

An accident involving the Challenge One means residents in several communities on the southwest coast will be dealing with an adjusted ferry schedule and reduced service for at least several more days.

The ferry was serving the Burgeo-Francois route last Monday when it ran upon a shoal about 15 minutes after leaving Burgeo, according to provincial Transportation Minister Tom Hedderson.

Damage was done to the shafts, propellers and rudders, said Minister Hedderson, adding the service provider told the province the incident was the result of a navigation error.

None of the three passengers aboard the vessel at the time, nor any crewmembers, were injured during the incident.

Minister Hedderson said a boat from the local area attached a line to the Challenge One, which cut its power after running aground, and towed the ferry back to Burgeo. Once there, passengers disembarked and the crew secured the vessel.

The Challenge One, owned and operated by Puddisters Trading Company under contract from the province, was the replacement ferry placed on the Burgeo-Francois route when the regular ferry, the Marine Voyager, went for refit.

The operator has 30 days to report the incident to the Transportation Safety Board and the minister said an investigation may ensue. Minister Hedderson the province will wait to see what, if any, action may be needed after a report on the incident is prepared.

Meanwhile

The Gallipoli will be called on to help fill in until the repairs on the Challenge One are complete, or the Marine Voyager finishes its refit.

"We've got some challenges here," said Minister Hedderson. "We don't have any other boats to begin with. This is what we've got."

Normally serving Ramea and Burgeo on a daily basis, with a twice-weekly trip to Grey River, the Gallipoli started making trips to Francois on Thursday. The provincially owned and operated ferry will operate, on an adjusted schedule, between all four communities on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The province is providing helicopter service from Burgeo to Grey River and Francois on Mondays and Fridays.

Minister Hedderson said the contractor said the Challenge One could be ready to return to service late this week, but the minister warned it could be longer. He said some parts needed to repair the ferry are on hand while others need to be ordered.

"We want to make sure that whatever repairs that need to be done are done effectively and she gets back as quickly as she can," said the minister.

It is unknown when the Marine Voyager will be ready to return to service from refit.

Until one of the other boats returns to service, the temporary Marine Eagle will remain serving the Rose Blanche-La Poile-Grand Bruit route. The regular ferry for that service is the Challenge One.

How and when things change will depend on which vessel is ready for service first and when that happens.

editor@gulfnews.ca