Damaged icebreaker heads to St. John’s after repairs

BURGEO, N.L. – A damaged icebreaker was being towed off the south coast of Newfoundland on Monday night after divers completed a temporary repair to its hull.

The Canadian Coast Guard Ship Ann Harvey began taking on water Wednesday after it struck a rocky shoal near Burgeo in southwestern Newfoundland.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up

By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

READ MORE: Icebreaker hits bottom off Newfoundland, but coast guard says all crew are safe

Coast guard spokeswoman Jan Woodford said dive teams finished welding a steel plate over the 20-centimetre puncture in the ship’s hull on Monday, after weather caused some delays.

She said the vessel was under tow by the coast guard vessel Teleost from Connaire Bay bound for St. John’s.

Woodford said the trip is expected to take two days.

Six divers will be on board the tow vessel in case further repairs are needed during the journey.