Grand Manan ferry down again

The new $68-million Grand Manan Adventure ferry is out of service for the third time since its maiden voyage in August.

The 82-car ferrydid not make its 7:30 a.m. run to Blacks Harbour on Thursday.

The Grand Manan V took over the run at about 9:30 a.m., according to staff at the ticket office.

It's expected tofollow the regular schedule, but was running about a half an hour late.

Previous repairs to the Adventure have been covered by warranty.

Thebow thrusters failed on Aug. 15, just four days after it was officially launched.

It was returned to service on Aug. 18, butwas to return to the dry dock on Sept. 11for 10 days of additional repairs.

Delivery of the ferry was also delayed when it encountered mechanical problems during sea trials in Panama City, Fla., in June. The ferry overheated because of the failure of a pipe, officials said.

The Adventure replaced the Grand Manan V as the main, year-round link from the island to the mainland.

Gregg Ryder, thedirectorof Coastal Transport, said the ferry is not a lemon.

"Certainly, the general manager here often refers to it as a peach when people call it a lemon.I believe once we get the initial bugs worked out, it's going to serve the people of New Brunswick well for decades," he said.

Ryder said it is normal to have a few bugs with a new vessel and said the Adventure came with a one-year "bumper-to-bumper" warranty.

He expects the Grand Manan Five will have no trouble handling the traffic back and forth to the island in the meantime.