MV Atlantic Freighter

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The MV Atlantic Freighter is a ferry run by the Marine Atlantic ferry service.[1] The ferry was completed in 1978 by Hyundai Shipbuilding Company Limited, and first delivered to the Stena Line which operates in Northern Europe.

Contents

[edit] Specifications

MV Atlantic Freighter Vessel Specifications[1][2]
tonnage
  • GRT - 13,117
  • Net tons - 3995
  • Deadweight - 8,661 tons
dimensions
  • Length oa - 154m
  • Length bp - 143m
  • Beam - 21.67m
  • Loaded Draft - 7.319m
capacity
  • Passengers - 12
  • Drop trailers - 75 plus tank top
machinery
  • Twin NKK Pielstick 12 cylinder main engines producing 11,638 kW
  • Twin propellers
  • bow thruster 1,000 hp
cruising speed
  • 15 knots
access
  • stern loading
  • shore based ramps

[edit] Operation

Loading and unloading the vessel each take over three hours.[3] Eight trailers are loaded at one time using a "yard tractor train system". The vessel represented 19.6% of the Marine Atlantic's fleet in 2005. The vessel makes one transit per day, from May to October. Marine Atlantic's other vessels operate year-round.

[edit] Asbestos risk

In 1990 asbestos was found in use on the vessel.[4][5] Management made the decision to encapsulate the asbestos. In November 2007 60 workers on the Atlantic Freighter were told they should be tested for asbestos exposure.

According to Sue Irvine, a representative of the Canadian Auto Workers union of the vessels workers[5]:

"This hasn't even touched the retirees that have worked on there for years, that are not recent retirees. Or the truck drivers that have travelled across as well as contractors that have done contract work onboard the vessel."

[edit] Gulf War service

The Atlantic Freighter was chartered by the United States Military Sealift Command in December 1990, and served two supply missions to the Persian Gulf during the Gulf War.[6][7] The vessel was captained by Neil Hillier, and crewed by 25 volunteers. Fred Mifflin Fisheries and Oceans Minister was credited with five years of efforts to secure the right for the crew to wear the United States Merchant Marine Expeditionary Award. Captain Hillier commented:

"The citation comes as a surprise five years after the event, and credit has to go to Admiral Mifflin for seeing it through. Our role was certainly seen to be of great significant by the U.S. military at the time of the conflict, and the recognition today is still appreciated."

[edit] Replacement

In 2007 Transport Canada considered replacing the aging Atlantic Freighter as early as 2008.[8][9]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "MV Atlantic Freighter Vessel Specifications". Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  2. ^ "M/F Atlantic Freighter", The Ferry Site. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  3. ^ "Social and Economic Impact of Marine Atlantic Drop Trailer Service", Transport Canada, November 30, 2005. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  4. ^ "Asbestos warning on ferry prompts health tests", CBC News, Monday, November 19, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  5. ^ a b "Asbestos testing to begin on Marine Atlantic workers", CBC News, Tuesday, November 27, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  6. ^ "Persian Gulf crew recognized by United Stated government", Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, April 18, 1996. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  7. ^ "XVIII AIRBORNE CORPS DESERT STORM CHRONOLOGY March 1991", United States Department of Defense, March 1, 1991. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  8. ^ "Public Input Sought on Gulf Ferry Service", Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, August 6, 1999. Retrieved on 2008-01-17. 
  9. ^ "DETAILS OF THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY TO REVITALIZE MARINE ATLANTIC INC", Transport Canada, February 2, 2007. Retrieved on 2008-01-17.