BC Ferries invited local community leaders onboard the MV Kuper for a special ribbon cutting ceremony to welcome the new BC Ferries vessel to the communities of Chemainus, Thetis and Kuper Islands. The MV Kuper has a very unique history. The hull of the new vessel is comprised from the original structure from the MV John Atlantic Burr, which BC Ferries purchased in 2005 from the State of Utah Transportation Department. That ship was cut into major sections and transported to Tacoma, Washington. These sections were then barged up to Allied Shipbuilders in North Vancouver, where the vessel was rebuilt into the MV Kuper. Highlights of this major rebuild work included…