CBC - March 30, 2015<\/p>\n
An important milestone in the construction of a new ferry for the Fogo Island-Change Islands run took place at a shipyard in Romania on Friday, with the launching of the 80-metre MV Veteran.<\/p>\n
Video from the event shows workers chopping into large ropes, and the Veteran slipping sideways into the water.<\/p>\n
The $50-million vessel is expected to sail for Newfoundland and Labrador in August, and arrive sometime in the fall.<\/p>\n
A spokesperson for the Department of Transportation and Works said the Veteran is expected to commence her service in early November.<\/p>\n
The Veteran is one of two identical ferries being built\u00a0by a Dutch company called\u00a0Damen Shipyards Group.<\/p>\n
The other, MV Legionnaire, will serve the Bell Island ferry route. It is expected to be launched sometime in July.<\/p>\n
Both are described as \"Super A1\" ice class vessels, capable of carrying up to 200 passengers and 60 vehicles.<\/p>\n
The pending arrival of the MV Veteran is generating plenty of excitement on Fogo\u00a0Island, said Maureen Lynch, who chairs the Fogo Island Transportation Committee.<\/p>\n
She said the current vessel, the Capt. Earl W. Winsor, is more than 40 years old and is prone to breakdowns.<\/p>\n
Lynch said her only complaint about the new ferry is that she was unable to attend last week's launch.<\/p>\n
\"It's going to make a big difference,\" Lynch said of the MV Veteran.<\/p>\n
She said the fact it is reinforced for travel through ice is an important advantage, reducing the dependence on Coast Guard icebreakers.<\/p>\n
When asked if the new vessel will improve the quality of life on Fogo Island, Lynch replied: \"Big time.\"<\/p>\n