Blown unit replaced during off hours
Richard Gleeson
Northern News Services
Fort Providence (May 21/01) - The MV Merv Hardie ferry was providing regular service at Fort Providence last week despite a burned out engine.
One of four 425 horsepower power plants on board the ferry, the newly-rebuilt engine suffered crankshaft problems an hour after the ferry went into operation May 11, said Gerald Perron, marine services manager for the department of transportation.
"It's all under warrantee, so it's not going to cost the government anything," Perron said.
It was the second time the 1989 engine was rebuilt. Engines on the ferry are rebuilt after every 20,000 hours of operation.
Perron said he did not know what caused the failure. The engine was rebuilt by the NTCL shop in Hay River. This is the first time in nine years an NTCL rebuild has failed, Perron said.
The ferry operates with only two of its four engines in summer. It's only when it needs to push through winter slush and ice that all four engines are engaged, Perron said.
Engines have to be disassembled to be installed or removed from the ship. The old engine was disassembled and pulled out of the Merv Hardie Tuesday night, after the midnight shutdown of ferry service. The replacement was craned into the engine compartment Wednesday night. It was still being reassembled as of Friday.
Assistant deputy minister Doug Howard said the replacement would not cause any delays.
"The only time it's possible the ferry would shut down is for an hour or two when Transport Canada does its inspection," Howard said.
Purchased new in 1989, the engines cost $50,000 apiece.
