Engine issue delays ferry
MV Lafferty still running, weekend repairs scheduled
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, October 22, 2015
LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON
Travellers planning to use the MV Lafferty ferry may experience delays after one of the ferry's engines sustained mechanical problems.
The MV Lafferty ferry takes off across the Liard River. The ferry is currently undergoing repairs after an engine malfunction on Oct. 19. - April Hudson/NNSL photo
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Assistant marine operations manager Kevin Allen said the forward main engine suffered an exhaust valve failure. This requires the Department of Transportation to order in a re-manufactured head assembly for the engine.
The MV Lafferty ferry is double-engined, with one on each end which normally enables it to allow passengers to drive on, cross and drive off normally on the other side.
However, with one engine out, Allen said drivers are being asked to drive on and back off, or vice versa, depending on what side of the river they are crossing from.
"We only have one engine we can truly rely on now. Rather than continuing to run the damaged engine, which would eventually result in the complete, catastrophic failure of that engine, we're not running it," Allen said.
"We have one engine that's running at 100 per cent, and that's the engine we're using to hold the vessel to shore when we're loading and unloading. That's the reason why people have to back on or off - it just makes it safer for the travelling public.
"What we're trying to do is minimize the risk to anyone and keep providing the service as best we can."
A government advisory sent out Oct. 19 notes multi-trailer transport trucks will need to be transported as single tractor trailer units.
Allen said the cylinder head assembly is expected to arrive Oct. 25, with repairs scheduled to take place that night.
"The only head assembly we could find in North America was located in Pennsylvania - that's why we're experiencing the delay in getting the engine completely repaired," he said.
"When we shut the vessel down (on Oct. 25), we'll tear it down and replace the head assembly. She'll be up and running Sunday."
Water levels in the Mackenzie and Liard rivers hit historic lows this summer but remain high enough at present for the ferry to keep running.
Dan Quevillon, the Department of Transportation's regional superintendent for the Deh Cho, said the department traditionally gives at least 72 hours notice before stopping the ferry for the season. That has historically occurred in the last week of October or first week of November.
"The department has a communications protocol where once we're about a week (away from) closing, we send out a communication from Yellowknife. That gives people in industry about a week to get ready," he said.
Until it undergoes repairs, the ferry's operating hours will remain the same, opening at 8 a.m. and closing at 11:45 p.m.
