Tallow greases the way as Merv Hardy ferry slides back into service
Terry Halifax
Northern News Services
Fort Providence (May 14/01) - A half-hour late on its first run of the year and operating on just three of four engines, the MV Merv Hardy returned to service Saturday.
With Capt. Ian Leishman at the helm, the ferry carried its first load of the season across the Mackenzie River from Fort Providence.
The first sailing was also later than the average starting date of May 7 - 9.
Crews launched the Merv Hardy from its winter berth Friday, sliding it down ways greased with tallow.
Manager of Projects and Engineering Gerald Perron said the launch went off without a hitch.
"It went pretty good," he said adding that one Cat got a little wet following the push. "There's a drop-off and it's all dug out there."
Following a winter of repairs to engines and replaced parts, the big ship was painted last week and ready for service when the ice flowed down north.
The ferry is lowered on inflated airbags in stages onto the slipway, which is greased from beef tallow.
"It comes from the restaurants," Perron said. "They gather it up and we put it on the slipways."
The ferry was built in 1971and weighs 130 tonnes. She's pushed down the slipway with two D-8 cats and into the Mackenzie.
While there is still much runoff to come from the high ground south of the border and in the bush, Perron says the water level is low.
"It is kind of low for this time of year," Perron said.
"It should be about two or three feet higher, but that's got to be determined when the ice comes off the lake."
