MV Merv Hardie

The Merv Hardie, named for politician, businessman and bush pilot Merv Hardie, was a ferry that connected the eastern and western portions of the Yellowknife Highway, across the Mackenzie River, near Fort Providence.

Following her last crossing at Fort Providence the Northern Journal interviewed John Mikula, who had served as one of the ferry's captains.

[5] Mikula, who had served as a captain for 17 years, told the Northern Journal that when crew member's previous contracts had come up for renewal they had only been offered contracts that classified them as casual workers, with the result that when the service ended they were not entitled to severance pay, and this had left the workers feeling bitter.

In February 2013, several months after she was retired from the Fort Providence crossing, Sonny Blake Jr., member for the Mackenzie Delta riding in the territorial legislature, asked the Minister of Transportation Dave Ramsay, whether the ferry could replace the MV Louis Cardinal, a smaller and less capable ferry operating at Tsiigehtchic, in the delta.

[6] Ramsay said the ferry needed maintenance work, but the government would consider putting her in service elsewhere.