Government has issued a Request for Proposals for an extra swing vessel in the province’s ferry fleet.

The province is looking for a vessel similar to the Legionnaire or the Veteran with capacity of up to 250 passengers and a vehicle deck of up to 400 lane metres. It must be capable of year-round operation in ice conditions typically seen on the Tickle or around Fogo Island.

The province says the vessel must also be less than 25 years old and able to dock in existing infrastructure.

Government currently operates two swing vessels – the Beaumont Hamel and the Sound of Islay. Another one, the Astron, is under contract until the end of March.

There are suggestions that a new vessel of those specs would range between $30 and $40 million and a used one would run approximately $10 to $30 million.