Aging ferries akin to Third World fleet: engineer

The ferry fleet in Newfoundland and Labrador is now so old that it compares with outmoded ferries found in the Third World, a St. John's vessel stability expert says.

Dag Friis, who teaches engineering in Memorial University's naval architecture program, said some of the province's ferries are so old, he would feel less than safe on them.

The average age of the 19-vessel fleet is now 33 years.

"[That] is probably on par with Third World countries," Friis said.

"If you look at Europe, you will generally see much younger vessels and vessels that are then sold to Third World countries or brought over here for operation when they've reached the end of their useful life, as far as the European market is concerned," he said.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government owns 11 ferries, and charters another eight from private operators.

The provincial ferry system provides service along the Labrador coast and the island's south coast, as well to islands such as Fogo Island and Bell Island and to isolated communities, such as St. Brendan's.

• GOVERNMENT OF NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR: Ferry service routes

Marine Atlantic, a federal Crown corporation, operates the service between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

The oldest ferry still on the water is the Terra Nova, which is 46 and operates on the south coast of the island. Six ferries are 40 years old or older.

The youngest ferry in the fleet the Flanders, which works on the Bell Island run is 16 years old.

The aging ferry fleet has been an issue for the provincial government for years, and was highlighted two years ago by Auditor General John Noseworthy.

• FROM NOV. 5, 2004: Ferry plan in works, despite cost: Rideout

At the time, Noseworthy said the normal life expectancy of a ferry is 25 years.

Ed Kent, a consultant with the Bell Island Ferry Users Committee, said government needs to act soon.

"The government and governments of the day have not seen the urgency that really exists to start replacing these boats," Kent said.

"They are an accident waiting to happen, unfortunately."

Cluney Mercer, an assistant deputy minister with the provincial Department of Transportation, said the ferries are safe, and are subject to rigorous Transport Canada inspections.

"The vessels are old, [but] they undergo an extensive refit every year," he said.

Transportation Minister Trevor Taylor told CBC News earlier this month that the provincial government is working on a ferry replacement strategy stretching as many as eight years.

"We hope to be constructing two new vessels by this time next year, and I'd anticipate that we'd be building five within the next five years," Taylor said.