Complete Maritime Profile & Reviews of Veteran

On July 8, 2025, the Veteran ferry, which services the route between Long Pond and St. John's, encountered an engine failure, leading to its temporary docking in Long Pond for necessary repairs. Fortunately, after thorough troubleshooting, the ferry was able to resume its journey on the Fogo-Change Island route by July 10, swiftly returning to service and ensuring continued connections for passengers and cargo.

The ferry vessel 'Veteran', which operates dedicated services to Fogo Island and Change Islands, is facing a significant setback as it requires an engine replacement. Having entered service in 2015, 'Veteran' has been notorious for its mechanical failures and service interruptions throughout its operational history. The Department of Transportation and Works has confirmed the necessity for a new engine but has withheld details on the specifics of the replacement, including costs and warranty coverage. In a move to ensure continued service, the department announced that the 'Legionnaire', a sister ship to the 'Veteran', will replace it on the Fogo Island and Change Islands route starting in early March. The 'Legionnaire' was chosen for its robust design, ideal for navigating the challenging sea ice conditions often encountered along this route. This temporary arrangement is set to last approximately six weeks as the 'Veteran' undergoes much-needed repairs.

On April 17, 2018, both the 'Legionnaire' and 'Veteran' ferries encountered simultaneous engine issues. Despite these mechanical challenges, the vessels remain operational on their designated routes. The 'Legionnaire' has had one of its engines removed for urgent repairs, with expectations to have it back on board by the end of the week. Meanwhile, technicians have taken additional precautions with the 'Veteran,' as one of its engines malfunctioned and is currently under assessment to gauge the severity of the problem. Both vessels, featuring a trio of engines, can continue operations with just two if necessary. The 'Veteran' primarily operates on the Fogo Island-Change Island-Farewell route, whereas the 'Legionnaire' serves the Portugal Cove to Bell Island route. These state-of-the-art ferries, built by Damen Shipyards in Romania, are relatively new to the intra-provincial ferry service, having been acquired for a total of approximately $100 million. However, since their launch, they have faced numerous technical difficulties.

After a lengthy hiatus, the ferry 'Veteran' has officially resumed its duties on the Fogo Island – Change Islands route as of February 19. The vessel was sidelined since October 2017 while undergoing vital repairs. Initially launched in late 2015, the 'Veteran' has faced ongoing thruster issues that ultimately led to its extended absence from service. Meanwhile, the sister vessel 'Legionnaire' is set to enter maintenance, focusing on its bow ramp repairs. Following these updates, 'Legionnaire' will operate alongside the Flanders on the Bell Island Tickle route. For the latest information on provincial ferry services, visit www.tw.gov.nl.ca/ferryservices/index.stm.