Post by Retrovision on Apr 24, 2006 13:16:24 GMT -8
N.L. ferries likened to 'Third World' vessels
Last Updated Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:25:55 EDT
CBC News
Newfoundland and Labrador's ferry fleet is so old that the boats compare with outmoded ships found in the Third World, a vessel stability expert warns.
Dag Friis, who teaches engineering in Memorial University's naval architecture program in St. John's, said some of the provincially operated ferries are so old he would feel less than safe on them.
The average age of the 19-vessel provincial fleet is 33 years.
"[That] is probably on par with Third World countries," Friis told CBC News.
"If you look at Europe, you will generally see much younger vessels, and vessels that are then sold to Third World countries or brought over here for operation when they've reached the end of their useful life, as far as the European market is concerned," he said.
The ferries linking Newfoundland with the mainland are operated by Marine Atlantic and are not included in the provincial fleet.
Oldest ferry is 46 years old
The Newfoundland and Labrador government owns 11 ferries, and charters another eight from private operators.
Their ages vary quite a bit:
The oldest ferry still on the water is the Terra Nova, which is 46 years old and operates on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland.
Six ferries are 40 years of age or older.
The youngest ferry in the fleet – the Flanders, which works on the Bell Island run just west of St. John's – is 16 years old.
The aging ferry fleet has been an issue for the provincial government for years.
The state of the vessels was highlighted two years ago by provincial Auditor General John Noseworthy, who pointed out that the normal life expectancy of a ferry is 25 years.
Boats called 'accident waiting to happen'
Ed Kent, a consultant with the Bell Island Ferry users committee, said the provincial government needs to act soon.
"The government and governments of the day have not seen the urgency that really exists to start replacing these boats," Kent said. "They are an accident waiting to happen, unfortunately."
Cluney Mercer, an assistant deputy minister with the provincial Department of Transportation, said the ferries are safe, and are subject to rigorous Transport Canada inspections.
"The vessels are old, [but] they undergo an extensive refit every year," he said.
FROM NOV. 5, 2004, 2006: Ferry plan in works, despite cost: Rideout
Transportation Minister Trevor Taylor told CBC News this month that the provincial government is working on a ferry replacement strategy that could take up to eight years to complete.
"We hope to be constructing two new vessels by this time next year, and I'd anticipate that we'd be building five within the next five years," Taylor said.
Copyright © CBC 2006
Last Updated Mon, 24 Apr 2006 13:25:55 EDT
CBC News
Newfoundland and Labrador's ferry fleet is so old that the boats compare with outmoded ships found in the Third World, a vessel stability expert warns.
Dag Friis, who teaches engineering in Memorial University's naval architecture program in St. John's, said some of the provincially operated ferries are so old he would feel less than safe on them.
The average age of the 19-vessel provincial fleet is 33 years.
"[That] is probably on par with Third World countries," Friis told CBC News.
"If you look at Europe, you will generally see much younger vessels, and vessels that are then sold to Third World countries or brought over here for operation when they've reached the end of their useful life, as far as the European market is concerned," he said.
The ferries linking Newfoundland with the mainland are operated by Marine Atlantic and are not included in the provincial fleet.
Oldest ferry is 46 years old
The Newfoundland and Labrador government owns 11 ferries, and charters another eight from private operators.
Their ages vary quite a bit:
The oldest ferry still on the water is the Terra Nova, which is 46 years old and operates on the south coast of the island of Newfoundland.
Six ferries are 40 years of age or older.
The youngest ferry in the fleet – the Flanders, which works on the Bell Island run just west of St. John's – is 16 years old.
The aging ferry fleet has been an issue for the provincial government for years.
The state of the vessels was highlighted two years ago by provincial Auditor General John Noseworthy, who pointed out that the normal life expectancy of a ferry is 25 years.
Boats called 'accident waiting to happen'
Ed Kent, a consultant with the Bell Island Ferry users committee, said the provincial government needs to act soon.
"The government and governments of the day have not seen the urgency that really exists to start replacing these boats," Kent said. "They are an accident waiting to happen, unfortunately."
Cluney Mercer, an assistant deputy minister with the provincial Department of Transportation, said the ferries are safe, and are subject to rigorous Transport Canada inspections.
"The vessels are old, [but] they undergo an extensive refit every year," he said.
FROM NOV. 5, 2004, 2006: Ferry plan in works, despite cost: Rideout
Transportation Minister Trevor Taylor told CBC News this month that the provincial government is working on a ferry replacement strategy that could take up to eight years to complete.
"We hope to be constructing two new vessels by this time next year, and I'd anticipate that we'd be building five within the next five years," Taylor said.
Copyright © CBC 2006
