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. Passengers will find more space, more comfortable seating and better viewing areas aboard the three Super C-class vessels, as well as many enhanced food and retail services. The Super C-class ships will carry 370 vehicles and 1650 passengers across the Strait of Georgia on BC Ferries’ two busiest routes, Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay and Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen. Diesel-electric propulsion systems will power these 160 metre ships at a service speed of 21 knots. The first Super C-class vessel, Coastal Renaissance, will arrive in B.C. late in 2007. Construction on the two remaining ships, Coastal Inspiration and Coastal Celebration will be completed in January and May 2008, respectively. By summer 2008, all three Super C-class ferries will be carrying BC Ferries passengers between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island, offering more customers an exceptional travel experience aboard some of the most advanced vessels in the world.