It looks as though it could be 2025 before the Flanders is put back into service.

That’s according to Transportation and Infrastructure Minister John Abbott.

The ferry had to be put on the sidelines after a fire in the engine room just over a month ago.

Abbott says an assessment is still being done on what the damage is and what will be needed to repair it.

That said, the ferry will be out of commission for “many months.”

“I doubt it will be back this year” says Abbott. He notes that there are sufficient vessels in place for the time being. He says when The Veteran is done its trial runs later this week that ferry will go to Fogo, and the Beaumont Hamel will go to Bell Island, giving both of those runs two ferries for the summer months.