A town in Conception Bay North is telling the provincial government not to overlook it when it comes to shipbuilding capacity. In fact, Harbour Grace Mayor Terry Barnes says the town has what it takes to build provincial ferries.

Government committed before last fall’s election to building several new ferries, but only now is it consulting the private sector on the capacity for shipbuilding in Newfoundland.

Barnes says the largest inshore vessel ever built in the province was manufactured, stem to stern, in Harbour Grace – the Petten’s Legacy more than 100 years ago.

“She was a steel boat, 90′ x 32′, so we’re very capable of building it right here in Harbour Grace,” says Mayor Barnes.