New BC Ferries

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by officedweller

BC Ferries' new LNG-fuelled Salish Class vessel enters water

Drydock launches are boring...

[whatnext]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Drydock launches are boring...

They definitely don't have the drama of liner launches of yore (one major factual error in this title though)

• Video Link

[officedweller]

BC Ferries proposes building 7 additional electric-battery ships in Canada
https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-island-class-vessels-electrification-canada-strategy

[bloomtronzero]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Drydock launches are boring...

I guess small ferries in a far away shipyard kind of are. But I'd have loved to go see the launch for the Super class ferries(or even dreaded cursed ones we built after those) when they were built here, if I wasn't like, 6 at the time and unable to go(anyone know if there's footage?).

I think seeing a massive public-fixture ship launch from a local shipyard would be pretty cool.

[officedweller]

Originally Posted by bloomtronzero

I guess small ferries in a far away shipyard kind of are. But I'd have loved to go see the launch for the Super class ferries(or even dreaded cursed ones we built after those) when they were built here, if I wasn't like, 6 at the time and unable to go(anyone know if there's footage?).

I think seeing a massive public-fixture ship launch from a local shipyard would be pretty cool.

Try this forum thread (36pages):

https://ferriesbc.proboards.com/thread/8500/spirit-british-columbia-photos-discussion

Annoyingly that forum allows big signature photos and page numbers are only at the top.

[bloomtronzero]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Try this forum thread (36pages):

https://ferriesbc.proboards.com/thread/8500/spirit-british-columbia-photos-discussion

Annoyingly that forum allows big signature photos and page numbers are only at the top.

I forgot about that forum! Used to check in all the time. The page numbers at the top are the worst.

[Sheba]

BC Ferries introduces two new fare options on major routes

BC Ferries is offering two new fare options for passengers on three major routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Customers will be able to purchase new “saver” and “prepaid” fares in addition to buying fares by reservation or at the terminal.

The saver fare will be available on less busy sailings and will cost between $49 and $73.70 and is designed for travellers who have the flexibility to travel during less busy times and can book in advance.

The prepaid fare allows customers to pay for their reservation and travel in full in advance, reducing check-in time at the terminal. Customers also save $7 on the reservation fee if they book more than seven days in advance.

The new fare options will be available on ferries travelling from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen to Duke Point, and Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay.

BC Ferries hopes the options will reduce sailing waits for popular sailings and will make the ferry system more efficient.

“Our routes between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island account for about 60 per cent of overall ferry traffic, so we are introducing our new fare choices on these routes first,” BC Ferries president and CEO Mark Collins said in a statement.

“When the province lifts essential travel orders, these fare options will provide our customers more value, flexibility and certainty. They will also help spread traffic across the day, reducing sailing waits at popular times.”

[officedweller]

The next Salish Class ship named "Salish Heron":

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-salish-heron-first-nations-art-design-competition

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by officedweller

The next Salish Class ship named "Salish Heron":

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-salish-heron-first-nations-art-design-competition

Nice looking set of boats!

[officedweller]

BC Ferries gives new electric-hybrid ferry a First Nations name


https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/island-kwigwis-bc-ferries

[officedweller]

Not quite new, but I hadn't heard of this retrofit before:

BC Ferries takes Northern Sea Wolf out of service due to COVID-19 illness in crew
https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2021/12/29/bc-ferries-sailing-covid-cancellations/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Northern_Sea_Wolf

The Northern Sea Wolf provides regular ferry service between:

• Port Hardy (Bear Cove) and Bella Coola with stops at Bella Bella (McLoughlin Bay), Shearwater and Ocean Falls

https://www.bcferries.com/on-the-ferry/our-fleet/northern-sea-wolf/NSW_

[Conrad Yablonski]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Not quite new, but I hadn't heard of this retrofit before:

Another BC Ferries budgetary disgrace they bought an ancient scow then spent a fortune repairing it (ships are expensive) but are still left with something that doesn't come close to the Discovery Coast capacity needs.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by officedweller

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Northern_Sea_Wolf

It was previously named "Mr. Shoppy One"??!?

[Klazu]

We took that ship few years ago from Port Hardy to Bella Coola. What an awesome sailing that route is being. I need to get to posting some photos at some point.

[casper]

Originally Posted by Conrad Yablonski

Another BC Ferries budgetary disgrace they bought an ancient scow then spent a fortune repairing it (ships are expensive) but are still left with something that doesn't come close to the Discovery Coast capacity needs.

It is a unique ship in the fleet. There is nothing else in the Northern Fleet with its capacity. Given how different summer and winter traffic patterns are having a few smaller ships may actually be a good thing.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

out of curiosity, does anyone know the life expectancy of the S Class ferries? i know they are ~30yrs old, and that is starting to get up there in age, and with how long it takes to build ships these days, i do wonder how long they will last.

[connect2source]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

out of curiosity, does anyone know the life expectancy of the S Class ferries? i know they are ~30yrs old, and that is starting to get up there in age, and with how long it takes to build ships these days, i do wonder how long they will last.

Probably another couple of decades at least. They just converted both Spirits to LNG in 2017 and 2018.

[madog222]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

out of curiosity, does anyone know the life expectancy of the S Class ferries? i know they are ~30yrs old, and that is starting to get up there in age, and with how long it takes to build ships these days, i do wonder how long they will last.

Their mid-life upgrade was completed ~4 years ago including replacing the main engines and part of the hull (bulbous bow).

Replacement was to be mid 2040s but that’s probably going to be pushed back a bit. COVID has pushed back the first C class replacements at least 5 years.


BC Ferries shipbuilding plan, circa 2018.
https://www.bcferries.com/web_image/h2b/h90/8798805065758.pdf


As for how long to build a ship, the first Coastal Class was in service 3.5 years after ordering.

[Klazu]

That's an interesting link, thank you! Many of the largest ferries coming to their end of life this decade. I hope at least some of the replacement vessels would be built in BC.

[MIPS]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

It was previously named "Mr. Shoppy One"??!?

http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=970675

ShipSpotting.com