People on Fogo and Change Islands will have to make do with a 30-car ferry while the Kamutik W comes out of service for regular maintenance.

Adding to the aggravation according to Fogo Island Mayor Andrew Shea is the fact that the vessel that is picking up the service does not have enough capacity for a tractor trailer, something that is vital during the fishing season.

Shea says typically the Legionnaire would join the run, but with the Flanders out of service due to a fire in the engine room earlier this month, the Legionnaire is being kept on the Tickle with the Beaumont Hamel.

Shea told VOCM Open Line with Paddy Daly, the interim solution is problematic.

He says the Astron which Woodward’s is sending down for the service on Hamilton Sound has a capacity for just 30 cars, or 15 cars with two trailers. That means some freight trucks will have to wait, especially when live crab, which gets priority, must be transported.

Transportation Minister John Abbott says the measure is a temporary one, expected to last two weeks.

Issue debated in House of Assembly

Meanwhile, the issue came up during raucous debate in the House of Assembly, led by questions from Opposition Leader Tony Wakeham.

Wakeham wanted to know why the ferry service is being downgraded at such a critical time in the region’s history. Premier Furey responded that “we would have a full compliment of vessels available, had the party who was in government the last time, not purchased inadequate vessels, vessels that don’t work, and docks that don’t fit.” He went on, “$740 million Mr. Speaker,” Furey said referencing rate mitigation for Muskrat Falls, “year after year, not just one year, but multiple years, we could do a causeway to Fogo for that money!”