Arriving by the dozens with chants of “fix our ferries,” users of the Bell Island service staged yet another protest this morning to express their despair and frustration.
Almost 100 ferry users and others affected by recent delays and disruptions were joined and supported by Wabana Mayor Gary Gosine, retiring MP Jack Harris and members of the Opposition PC caucus on the windswept steps of Confederation Building.
The Beaumont Hamel is currently the only ferry operating on The Tickle, a smaller vessel than usual with less space for vehicles and people.
Longtime Wabana Mayor Gary Gosine joined by retiring St. John’s East NDP MP Jack Harris during Bell Island ferry protest at Confederation Building. @VOCMNEWS pic.twitter.com/tw8NAIbARF
— Brian Callahan (@briancallahan67) August 6, 2021
Government responded to today’s protest, saying ferries must come out of service every five years for mandatory refits. But they note the two refits planned for 2020 were postponed until this year due to lockdowns associated with COVID-19.
The MV Beaumont Hamel and MV Flanders had been providing service to Bell Island while the Legionnaire is out. However, the Flanders is now out for unexpected repairs due to damage to its bow thruster.
The government stated that’s out of their control, with the swing vessel serving another community.
Repairs to the Flanders are expected to be completed by mid-August.
