Fort Simpson (May 16/03) - It took three bulldozers, a dozen workers and several rows of timber greased with fat to get the Lafferty ferry in the water on Monday afternoon.

After budging the vessel from its perch atop an embankment, it took close to an hour for the bulldozers to push it a few hundred metres into the Liard River.

The beams, known as slipways, occasionally cracked and groaned as the 204-ton ferry was propelled down the hill.

It's a process that's been repeated every year since the ferry was acquired in 1993. Of course it takes much greater effort to haul the ferry back up in the fall, noted Les Shaw, director of marine services.

Going in or going out, relocating the ferry is made easier by coating the slipways with grease discarded by local restaurants.

"It makes the boat slide nice and easy ... it's biodegradable, user friendly," Shaw said, adding that beef tallow used to be ordered but it became too expensive, as much as $1,600 per drum.

Prior to launching the ferry, a number of maintenance checks take place. Some inspections are done yearly -- such as those for the fire suppression system, compressor systems and bilge system -- others are carried out every four years.

Now that the ferry is operational, some people will be anxious to traverse the Liard River, but for others there's no sense of urgency.

Bill Burrill said "it would be nice to go across the river for a drive. I might go to Hay River this weekend."

Hazel Isiah and her family are planning to pick up some supplies in Hay River to finish their basement.

"No real rush. I've kind of gotten used to the way it is over the years," said Isiah. Sandra Wright and her son are hoping to go camping but they won't be heartbroken if it doesn't happen this Victoria Day weekend, she said.