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. Upon leaving the shipyard, the ships will make stops in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle, where major promotional events will take place.

Coastal Renaissance arrives in British Columbia in mid-November and is scheduled to be in service in early 2008. The second vessel, Coastal Inspiration, arrives three months later and is expected to be in service in the spring. The third, Coastal Celebration, arrives in summer 2008 and is expected to be to be in service by summer 2008 as well. BC Ferries has also finalized deployment plans for the new vessels. Coastal Renaissance will reside at Departure Bay in Nanaimo and will serve the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay route. Coastal Inspiration will reside at Duke Point in Nanaimo and serve the Duke Point – Tsawwassen run and Coastal Celebration will reside at Swartz Bay, and serve the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen run.