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Swartz Bay 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).

07 Mar 2013

Seaspan Ferries to Install AMP at Swartz Bay Terminal

Seaspan Ferries Corporation's installation of shore electrical power (also known as AMP) to receive Government of Canada funding. Shore power is a highly effective way to reduce marine diesel air emissions by enabling ships to shut down their engines and connect to the local electrical grid in order to power their on-board systems while docked. "Our government is proud to invest in shore power at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal," said the Honourable James Moore, Minister Responsible for British Columbia. Once installed, shore power will decrease fuel consumption at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal by approximately 70,000 litres annually, representing a net savings of about $45,000 and an approximate 210,000 kg reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

24 Oct 2012

BCF & WSF Security and Operations Control

Across the globe, populated islands and the desire of their inhabitants to travel elsewhere has led to a need for reliable waterborne transportation. Nowhere is an organized water transportation system more highly utilized than in the shared waters of Washington State and British Columbia. The international border zigzags around the Gulf Islands of Canada and the San Juan Islands of the US. Ferry traffic from the US and Canada traveling to these islands cross each other’s watery borders daily.

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.

11 Jan 2001

BC Ferries Sells Queen Of Victoria

The Queen of Victoria has been sold to a private operator in the Dominican Republic, BC Ferries' president and CEO Bob Lingwood announced. A total of six bids were received for the 38-year-old ferry and evaluated during the public bid process. "We've accepted an offer of $550,000 Canadian for the Queen of Victoria, which has become surplus to our needs," said Lingwood. R & G Importadora & Exportadora, the new owner, is expected to take possession of the vessel by the end of the year. The Queen of Victoria was built at the Victoria Machinery Depot in 1962 and provided ferry service on BC Ferries' Tsawwassen - Swartz Bay route until 1998. Since then, the vessel has been used for storage at the corporation's Deas Dock refit complex in Richmond.

21 Sep 2004

Flensburger Wins Canadian Ferry Contract

A contract to build three double-ended RoRo Ferries for the Canadian Shipping Company British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. has been won by Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft. The total value of the contracts is approximately $325 million Canadian. The new ships are called “Super C-class” type. BC Ferries´ specification for the new Super C-class vessels, which are planned to operate on BC Ferries´ Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay, and Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen routes, are for 160 m vessels that can accommodate 370 vehicles and up to 1,650 passengers.

03 Jan 2005

Spirit of British Columbia to be Refit

As a part of revitalizing its fleet, the Spirit of British Columbia will undergo a major passenger services upgrade and refit this winter. Other components of the fleet renewal program include three new Super C-class vessels, a new intermediate vessel, mid-life upgrades to the existing C-class ships and terminal upgrades. The vessel will be removed from service on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route for its annual refit and a complete passenger amenities renovation from Tuesday, January 4 to Thursday, March 17, 2005 inclusive. Among the many improvements planned for the Spirit of British Columbia are an expanded Passages Gift Shop, an upgraded cafeteria, a redesigned buffet, renovated washrooms, reupholstered seating, and new flooring and carpeting.

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.

04 Sep 2007

BC Ferries Launches Another Vessel

The hull and superstructure of BC Ferries’ Coastal Inspiration was officially launched at a special ceremony today in Flensburg, Germany. The ship is the second in a series of three new vessels being built at FSG Shipyards, and is expected to be completed in early 2008. The keel of the third Super C-class vessel, Coastal Celebration will be laid in Germany, and during the third week of September, the first vessel, Coastal Renaissance will set sail for British Columbia. The Super C-class vessels will be the largest double-ended ferries in the world. Each will carry 370 vehicles and 1650 passengers. Passengers will find more space, more comfortable seating and better viewing areas on the two passenger decks of these ships than on any other passenger ferries.

16 Aug 2007

New BC Ferries Vessels to Set Sail Next Month

BC Ferries is pleased said that preparations for the arrival of its new Super C-class ferries is proceeding according to plan. All three new vessels are on schedule and under budget. The first of the new vessels, the Coastal Renaissance, will depart the shipyard in Flensburg, Germany amid international fanfare on September 21. BC Ferries will be hosting a special British Columbia barbecue at the shipyard to mark this major milestone of the first new Super C-class being completed and ready for delivery to British Columbia. The program for these ships has received broader focus following the announcement in June that each of the three Super Cs will be outfitted with customized graphics promoting the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

30 Jul 2007

Ferry Service Stalls after Bomb Threat

The Canadian Press reported that travelers were stuck for hours when B.C. Ferries was forced to cancel sailings after receiving a bomb threat that police considered credible. Twenty-one sailings were cancelled and travelers were forced to wait in terminals near Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo. Passengers were confined to the terminal cafeteria before police gave them the go-ahead to leave. One ferry had already left the terminal and had to be turned back. Another ferry that was ready to depart for Schwartz Bay in Victoria was halted. All the passengers on both ships were evacuated and their vehicles searched. The big ships between Tsawwassen and Schwartz Bay carry up to 470 cars and 2,100 passengers. In the summer, ferries depart between the two terminals every hour.

11 Jan 2007

Construction Begins on BC Ferries New Vessel

BC Ferries announced that construction has begun on the second of the company’s next generation Super C-class vessels at Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyards. Coastal Inspiration is the second in a series of three new double-ended ferries that will arrive in B.C. in late 2007 and early 2008. Construction of the first vessel, Coastal Renaissance started in August 2006 and construction of a third vessel, Coastal Celebration is expected to begin in April 2007. When completed, the Super C-class vessels will be the largest double-ended ferries in the world, featuring two passenger decks providing an unprecedented travel experience for BC Ferries customers.

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 Aug 2006

Construction Begins on New Super C-Class Ferries

After nearly two years of design work and testing, B.C. Ferries began the construction of the new Super C-class vessel, Coastal Renaissance, on August 30 at Flensburger Schiffbau – Gesellschaft Shipyards (FSG), in northern Germany. The event was marked by a steel cutting ceremony involving representatives from BC Ferries and the shipyard. The Super C-class vessels are expected to be the most advanced vessels in the BC Ferries fleet. They will feature a diesel-electric propulsion system that is the largest and most fuel efficient of its kind and are designed to be the largest double-ended ferries in the world. The three 160 m, 21,980 gross ton vessels will be built from 88 large steel sections at Flensburger’s shipbuilding facility.

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…

07 Sep 1999

West Coast Ferry Industry at All-Time High

In terms of new deliveries, the West Coast ferry industry will probably not see another period to match the past 18 months for some time. All three of the large government-operated ferry systems in the Pacific Northwest - Washington State, BC Ferries and the Alaska Marine Highway System - received new tonnage, as did a number of smaller operators along the coast. Still under construction are two high-speed vehicle-carrying catamarans for BC Ferries and a single passenger-only high-speed cat for Washington State. In addition, the Nichols Bros. yard at Freeland, Wash. is completing a 40-knot catamaran for operation between southern California and Catalina Island, and a second 35-knot cat for deployment in Alaska by the Brad Phillips organization.