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Spirit Of Vancouver News

18 Feb 2019

Inside the World's Top Ferry Lines

Staten Island Ferries, NYC. Photo Credit: Greg Trauthwein

The ferry business, unlike more industrial parts of the shipping business, touches wide swaths of the world’s population across continents. The membership of Interferry, the leading trade group for the industry, with non-Governmental organization (NGO) status at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) includes 200+ members from all parts of the ferry spectrum. These include passenger ferries (including fast ferries), Ro/Pax and cruise ferries operating globally. In selecting “the best” we looked beyond the league tables of “the most” (passengers) and “the biggest” (fleet size).

11 Jun 2018

BC Ferries’ Spirit of British Columbia Converted to LNG

(Photo: ABS)

Spirit of British Columbia, one of two BC Ferries vessels that will use liquefied natural gas (LNG) as fuel, has finished conversion at the Remontowa Ship Repair Yard S.A. in Gdansk, Poland and has returned to service for the Canadian operator.The 1993-built ro-pax ferry Spirit of British Columbia was the first to undergo conversion while its sister vessel, the Spirit of Vancouver Island, is expected to complete conversion during the spring of 2019. The 550-foot ABS-classed vessels are the largest ships in the BC Ferries fleet with a capacity to carry 2…

07 Feb 2017

North American Ferries: Faster, Greener & Safer

(Photo: BC Ferries)

Domestic ferries adjust their business models to met regulatory pressures and exceed environmental standards with an eye towards improved service. And, not a minute too soon. In North America, stalwarts in the ferry business continue to shorten journey times compared to surface alternatives, while at the same time, bring accessibility to barrier and coastal islands that would otherwise be impossible to reach. Established stakeholders continually fine-tune their operations in a…

11 Apr 2016

Two Canadian Ferries to be Converted for LNG Operation

Image: Scott Arkell/Wärtsilä

Wärtsilä has been awarded the contract by Gdansk Shiprepair Yard Remontowa S.A., to supply a scope of engines, propulsion machinery, integrated automation systems, and gas handling systems required for the mid-life upgrading of two RoPax ferries and their conversion to operate on LNG fuel. The ferries, the Spirit of British Columbia and the Spirit of Vancouver, are the flagship vessels of British Columbia Ferry Services based in Victoria, Canada. The work will be carried by the Remontowa Shiprepair yard in Poland. The contract with Wärtsilä was placed in March 2016.

26 Mar 2016

Polish Shipyard Wins Contract with B.C. Ferries

A contract to renovate B.C. Ferries’ two largest vessels has been awarded to the largest shipyard in Poland for $140 million. BC Ferries awarded the conversion contrast to Remontowa Ship Repair in Gdansk, Poland. That’s the same company that earlier received the contract to build three new duel-fuel ferries that will be able to run on either liquefied natural gas (LNG) or diesel. The ferry corporation announced on Thursday that both Spirit-class ferries, the Spirit of Vancouver Island and Spirit of British Columbia, will undergo mid-life upgrades at Remontowa Ship Repair Yard S.A. in Gdansk, Poland so that the vessels can be used for another 25 years.

11 May 2015

BC Ferries’ First-Ever Cable Ferry Named

BC Ferries unveiled the name of its newest vessel and first-ever cable ferry, Baynes Sound Connector, at an official naming ceremony at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in North Vancouver on 9th May. The 78.5 metre ferry – named after the channel it will regularly cross – is scheduled to enter service later this summer, and accommodate up to 50 vehicles and 150 passengers while operating between Buckley Bay and Denman Island. Using one drive cable and two guide cables, Baynes Sound Connector, will also be one of the longest cable ferries in the world, traversing a distance of approximately 1900 metres, and capable of speeds of up to 8.5 knots.

03 Sep 2014

Vancouver Shipyards Begins Building New Cable Ferry

(left to right) Vancouver Shipyard’s Chester Saret - Burning Area Chargehand, Brian Carter – President, Seaspan Shipyards, and Mike Corrigan – President & CEO, BC Ferries, oversee the first cut of steel on the new BCFS Cable Ferry.

Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards (VSY) announced today it has officially started construction on a new Cable Ferry for BC Ferries. The 78.5 meter ferry, slated for delivery in Spring 2015, will accommodate up to 50 vehicles and 150 passengers, while servicing the Buckley Bay to Denman Island route. This newbuild will engage all VSY unions, including Marine and Shipbuilders Local 506, International Association of Machinists Lodge 692, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 213…

07 Feb 2002

Spirit of Vancouver Island To Go For Refit

The M.V. Spirit of Vancouver Island will be removed from service for annual refit from Monday, February 11 to Sunday, March 17, 2002 inclusive. During this period the M.V. Queen of Saanich will be the replacement vessel. All departures will remain as scheduled. The M.V. Queen of Saanich will operate from Swartz Bay at 7:00 am, 11:00 am, 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm and from Tsawwassen at 9:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm and 9:00 pm. Because the M.V. Queen of Saanich is a slightly smaller vessel, some overloads and delays can be expected at peak sailing times. Passengers are advised to plan their travels accordingly. The M.V. Spirit of British Columbia returns to service from refit on Thursday, Feb. 7 which allows for one "Spirit" vessel to be in service on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route at all times.

03 Mar 2005

BC Ferries Vessel Out of Service

The Queen of Vancouver remains out of service until further notice due to a significant mechanical problem. BC Ferries’ engineers expect the gearbox on the vessel will not be repaired until next week at the earliest. As a result of the breakdown, BC Ferries will be canceling a number of sailings on Friday, March 4 and Sunday, March 6. In order to assist with anticipated traffic volumes on the Victoria run, the Queen of Esquimalt will be redeployed from the Tsawwassen – Duke Point route to conduct one round trip on Friday and Sunday departing Tsawwassen at 6:30 p.m. and departing Swartz Bay at 8:30 p.m. The Queen of Saanich, which usually provides supplemental weekend service, is now sailing as a primary vessel on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route.

05 Jan 2007

Spirit of British Columbia to Undergo $1.9m Refit

The Spirit of British Columbia will be undergoing its annual maintenance refit from January 8 through February 9 inclusive. The vessel will undergo nnual inspection and servicing of all lifesaving equipment, main engine upgrades, steering gear maintenance, installation of some new galley equipment, thorough cleaning of the passenger accommodation areas, car decks and machinery spaces The refit is a regular maintenance procedure conducted approximately the same time each year. During the refit period, the Queen of Esquimalt will provide service on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route and will be based at Tsawwassen. The Spirit of Vancouver Island will continue its regular service on the route based at Swartz Bay.

30 Dec 2005

BC Ferries’ Vessel to Undergo $13M Upgrade

The Spirit of Vancouver Island will be removed from service on the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route for its annual refit and a major passenger services upgrade on Tuesday, January 3, 2006. Similar to the 2005 upgrade of the Spirit of British Columbia, the Spirit of Vancouver Island will see all the interior passenger areas completely renovated. Among the improvements to the 1994 vessel will be an upgraded cafeteria, a redesigned buffet, renovated washrooms, new seating, flooring and carpeting, and the replacement of the Lantern Coffee Bar with the Seawest Lounge. The passenger-service improvements, which are part of an initiative to revitalize the fleet…