A controversial ferry that has spent more time on land than at sea should be scrapped, a municipal leader is advising the Newfoundland and Labrador government.

The MV Nonia, which ran aground on a shoal near St. Brendan's Island on Friday night, would better serve commuters if it were retired, says Herb Brett, who chairs a transportation advisory committee with the provincial Federation of Municipalities.

It took years, and about $11 million, to make the ferry Nonia seaworthy.
(CBC)

Brett said he has only one suggestion for Transportation Minister John Hickey.

"I would tell him to stuff it. That boat is a public disgrace," Brett told CBC News.

The provincial government bought the Nonia, an Estonian vessel, in 1999 for what seemed like a bargain price of $1 million.

However, the Nonia was tied up or in drydock for six years during successive attempts to make it seaworthy.

The province has spent about $11 million so far on trying to fix the Nonia's problems.

Even after it was finally put in service, the Nonia quickly developed an unsavoury reputation. Commuters on Bell Island called it the "No-Go" because of problems with its gearbox. A collision with the wharf in Portugal Cove didn't help, either.

The Nonia had been put into service on the St. Brendan's run earlier this fall to fill in for another ferry that had problems.

Brett said the government should cut its losses.

"Everybody knows [if] you got an old car, there's no end to putting money in an old car," he said.

"You get to the point after a while [when you say], 'Listen, byes, give it away.' "

Hickey inherited the Nonia — and its bills — from the previous government, but says the ferry is beginning to show promise.

"I rely certainly on the views of the captain and his crew, and what we're being told certainly by the captain is that this vessel is operating very well," Hickey told CBC News.

Hickey said the vessel is expected to be back in service within 10 days.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government has arranged for a helicopter to serve residents of St. Brendan's.

Meanwhile, the government is dealing with a consultant's report released this fall, which recommended an overhaul — including fewer routes — of the domestic ferry service.