The MHA who represents Bell Island acknowledges problems with the ferry services, but says there is no quick fix.

The island’s 2,200 residents have been plagued with spotty service the past while, but MHA Fred Hutton says that is due, in part, to construction work on the island. Because of extensive roadwork, they had to extend the Legionnaire further into the year than originally planned in order to accommodate equipment and personnel.

The two vessels now on the run, the Beaumont Hamel and the Flanders, average 40 years of age so breakdown is commonplace. He knows they have to replace several vessels, but that’s a several-year process.

“You’re looking at hundreds of millions of dollars and the process is underway,” Hutton told Your VOCM Mornings.

Walk-on capacity on the Flanders has been reduced because of an issue with lifeboat replacement, but that work can’t start for a while. They hope to have the Legionnaire back on the tickle by month’s end.

Work on the Flanders cannot begin until the Legionnaire returns.