Beausoleil fights for new vehicle/passenger ferry
By Sharon Weatherall
Hopefully Beausoleil First Nation will soon be back up to two ferries after spending the past two weeks with operation of its passenger ferry only – Indian Maiden. Arrangements are in the works for a temporary vehicle/passenger ferry to be leased until this long time issue is resolved with the federal government.
The problem became crucial when the 65 year old barge Sandy Graham did not pass inspection with Transport Canada testing and was restricted from operations. This is something BFN knew was going to happen despite ongoing communications over the years with Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) about the looming problem.
In a recent press release send out to members Transportation Co-ordinator Arnold Jamieson Jr. specified… “Sandy Graham underwent another inspection with Transport Canada Wednesday May 4 as a follow-up to ultra -sonic testing that was undergone the week prior. As a result of the negative results of the ultra-sonic testing and obvious metal deterioration in two of the water tight compartments, our application to prolong the 4 years dry dock until later this fall was not approved as of today….
“As such the vessel’s safety certificate was immediately amended to reflect the vessel’s condition. As of today it is no longer certified to carry any passengers and is now only capable to transport 14 unmanned vehicles or 26 tons. The vessel as of Saturday May 7 will no longer be certified for use and will need to be transported to a dry dock facility where only extensive steel work and all other repairs that are undertaken during a 4 year inspection would possibly make her fit to resume service and become certified but it is possible that it would not be cost effective given the age of the vessel…..”
The interim vehicle ferry from Cleveland Ohio could be hired on a temporary basis and began operations soon at a cost of $22,000 Canadian per month until a full time solution can be agreed on. This would be operated by BFN staff. The band is waiting to hear if INAC will agree to fund the cost after BFN substantiates the need. Another option is a tug and push barge which would cost $6500 daily based on a 10 hour day and which the band decided against. Also the tug and push barge would not be operated by BFN staff.
Chief Roland Monague agreed that option was “way too much money”.
“The firm in Cleveland wants to work with BFN – they know our needs and are willing to work with us,” said Monague.
Chief Monague was tentatively scheduled to meet with INAC Minister the Honourable Carolyn Bennett in Toronto Friday May 20th to discuss the possible purchase of a new ferry for BFN and other issues including the idea of a connecting link bridge from island to mainland. That meeting has now been cancelled to be replaced by a conference call. The aging Sandy Graham was purchased in 1998 as a temporary solution to the problem and has been passing dry dock inspections during the past few years only with extensive repair.
Consultants were initially hired in 2004 and design plans for a new ferry were drawn up in 2007 but never used because the government put the project on hold. A new ferry would have cost $21 million in 2004 and that cost rose to $26 million in 2010. Currently a new ferry will cost $30 million and BFN chief and council have been working diligently over the past year to come up with a new design that will meet the needs of the growing community.
“The new ferry would be able to operate in three feet of ice and carry up to 40 vehicles and 200 passengers. If INAC agrees to this they would cover the cost,” said Monague.
The old Sandy Graham had capabilities of carrying 98 passengers and 28 vehicles.
Operation of the passenger ferry only posed many problems for Islanders and cottagers who live on the island all summer since ferry is the only mode of transportation back and forth to the mainland.
“We have been receiving many phone calls from frustrated members and cottagers in the meantime about the inconvenience this has caused. We are entering our peak season and we needed to get transportation in place…people had no way of bringing their cars to the island,” said Monague.
“There are approximately 250 cottages on Christian Island which inflates the population to 3500 during the summer months including the 800 residents who live on the island year round.”
With just one passenger ferry operating things have been made difficult for residents and people staying on the island – groceries and other items have to be hauled by hand on and off the ferry. Service providers from the mainland have no way of making it to the island to provide services to the people who live there.
Monague says the Sandy Graham has now gone for its final assessment and if written off will continue to be an asset of the Band.
“The firm in Cleveland may be interested in purchasing the Sandy Graham,” said Monague.