ROCKLAND, Maine — The new $9.4 million ferry to serve Vinalhaven will not start serving the island until the middle of next week.
The ferry arrived in Rockland at the Maine State Ferry Service terminal on March 23 and was expected to begin making regular runs to Vinalhaven by the first week of April.
Ferry Service Manager James MacLeod said Thursday that temporary repairs need to be made to the fender panels at the Vinalhaven dock before the new 154-foot ferry E. Frank Thompson can be used for the island.
MacLeod said that the repairs are being done by the ferry service crews and should be done by the middle of next week and that then the new ferry will go into operation.
The Thompson is much taller than the current ferry — the 1968-built Governor Curtis. The fender panels need to be adjusted so they will conform to the height of the new ferry. Otherwise, MacLeod said, there would be a risk of windows being broken in the cabin when the ferry docks.
Permanent repairs to the fender system will be done later, he said.
The only other adjustment that needs to be made to accommodate the new ferry, the manager said, is that large pickup trucks and larger trucks that use the ferry will have to push in their side mirrors in order to fit into the three traffic lanes on the vessel. He said regular-size vehicles will have no problems.
The E. Frank Thompson is the first new ferry in 19 years for the state ferry service.
Construction took two years and three months at C&G Boatworks in Mobile, Ala.
The E. Frank Thompson can carry 22 motor vehicles and 250 passengers.
For information and a complete schedule of ferry runs, visit the Maine State Ferry Service website at http://www.maine.gov/mdot/msfs/.
I wonder why that ferry wasn’t built in maine? especially in this economy (and with tax payer money?) I heard it took a very long time to find a boatyard that WOULD build it because of it’s obvious design flaws…and it doesn’t hold even one more vehicle than the old one…which is a big summer problem. and now we read that the lanes are even a tigher fit than before. the rig is totally top heavy as anyone can see and should make sea sickness a grand adventure…that baby is going to roll like never before. what a waste of money….and the permanent repairs will be made at a later date?! to the tune of how much?
A year ago, Boston bought a new fire boat. Paid for with federal stimulus money, but built in Canada! Had a fire at the marina a couple weeks ago. That’s when they discovered it’s too tall to go under the bridges to get there! Absolutely absurd!
Alabama – lots of green cards
Maine – lots of union cards
You can’t make this stuff up. Sort of like buying a computer system for DHHS that doesn’t work.. and they knew it before installing it.. John Baldacci and posse spent money just to spend it.
They were looking for a place to build this boat for a few years and had trouble finding a yard willing to build this boat. The boat building business has been good.
Does anyone research the “whole picture” before ordering something? There must be dimensions available and someone with some sort of “common sense” helping to make the selection and purchase? Too big for the existing dock?
What’s that saying? Measure twice….
“Oh crap!”, Captain Ferry Man.
Certainly not a “Life is Good” moment.
Somebody MUST have some long planks laying around that they can use to drive the vehicles across onto the ferry.
I would have loved to be there when they discovered this boo-boo.
Another example why government should not be in charge of a business.
Ferry service FAIL!
Ever figure it might just be a plan to get some emergency money released for a new dock.
And you filthy liberals want to put these people in charge of health care — creating a bonanza for funeral directors.
Didn’t realize ferrys were part of the health care law.
The new health care law only affects ferries on the River Styx where Charon is the ferry captain. Don’t forget to have your coin in your mouth when you are ready to board!
OOOhhh…the Egyptian health plan. Why didn’t you say so.
It’s from Greek mythology, the River Styx formed the boarder between Earth and the underworld.
The gooberment is though. If they can not make sure the boat fits the dock what makes you think they can properly fix you?
They’re everywhere now. They even want to marry each other.
Wow! “You filthy liberals”???
Disagree all you want, vehemently even, but those “filthy liberals” are your neighbors, your boss, your child’s teacher, a family member… No wonder this country is in so much trouble. This world is not black & white. If you want everyone to think the same perhaps you should see how that works out for N Koreans….
Regardless of their identity or proximity, they are no different than the street thug who beats you into submission and then steals your money. They merely use the government as a proxy to avoid getting dirt under their fingernails.
What are the comparison specs for the Governor Curtis ferry?
The Governor Curtis is shorter in length and shorter in height than the new boat. The passanger cabins are on the same level as the cars for the othere ferrys in the fleet.
However, you think someone would have known that in advance and made the needed adjustments to the fenders before the boat was delivered. That’s a FAIL.