Island-class ferry
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The Island-Class Vessels (not yet operational) are ferries operated and owned by BC Ferries. They were built in 2019 by Damen Shipyards Group in the Netherlands. The ships were launched in mid-march 2019. The two ferries are slated to commence service in mid 2020. They are powered by Hybrid-electric diesel, when shoreside electric charging stations and funding becomes available the vessels will become fully electric.[1] The first 2 vessels are named "Island Aurora" and "Island Discovery". Island Discovery will replace MV North Island Princess on the Powell River – Texada Island route, and Island Aurora will replace MV Quadra Queen II on the Alert Bay – Sointula route.[2]
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Island class |
| Builders | Damen Shipyards |
| Operators | BC Ferries |
| Preceded by | |
| Built | 2019 |
| Planned | 6 |
| On order | 4 |
| Building | 2 |
| Completed | 2 |
| Active | 0 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Ferry |
| Length | 80.80 m (265 ft) |
| Beam | 17.00 m |
| Draught | 3.20 m |
| Depth | 5.70 m |
| Installed power | 2x 1850 mm ice strength fixed pitch |
| Propulsion | 2x 900 kW azimuth thrusters, electric drive |
| Speed | 14 knots (25.92 km/h) |
| Capacity | 300 passengers and Crew |
Description
The Island Class vessels Island Aurora and Island Discovery were officially designed by Damen Shipyards Group, but input from both the public and BC Ferries ended up in the designs for the vessels. The Island Class vessels are 80.8 meters long and have a beam of 17 metres.[3]The vessels are double ended and they are considered the minor class of BC Ferries standardization plan. The first 2 vessels were built in 2019. BC Ferries has ordered 4 more of these vessels which will enter service in 2022. These vessels will be built by Damen Shipyards Galati, the builder of the first 2 Island Class vessels.[1] BC Ferries has stated that they plan to have 13 of these vessels in their fleet by the year 2031.
| Image | Name | Lauched | Completed | Routes | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Island Discovery | March 2019 | July 2019 | 18-Powell River–Texada Island | In crew training and dock fits | Slated to Begin Service in May 2020 | |
| Island Aurora | March 2019 | July 2019 | 25-Port McNeil–Alert Bay–Sointula | Not yet in Service | Slated to begin service in mid 2020 |
Service History
Both Island Discovery and Island Aurora were lanched in March 2019. The first 2 vessels were completed construction in July 2019, and had sea trials in August 2019. The 2 vessels were originally scheduled to depart Galati Romania in August of 2019, but this was delayed, and the ships finally departed Romania on November 20th 2019. The ships' 2-month journey to British Columbia ended on January 18th when the vessels arrived at Point Hope Shipyards in Victoria.[4] The 2 vessels were christened with their names on February 19th, 2020. The first 2 vessels would begin service in mid-2020.[1]
References
| This article, Island-class ferry, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary.
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- ^ a b c BC Ferries' Island Class vessels (Video). BC Ferries. 2020-02-26. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
- ^ "Two new hybrid BC Ferries ships christened with new names in Victoria ceremony". Victoria News. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "Damen Road ferry 8117 E3". Damen Shipyards. Damen Shipyards. Retrieved 4 April 2020.
- ^ "BC Ferries receives delivery of new hybrid electric island class ferries". Global News. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2020.