Friday January 17, 2020 ~ VICTORIA
~ West Shore Voice News
New hybrid electric ferries are expected to arrive at Ogden Point in Victoria on Saturday January 18.
The Island Class ships are battery-equipped as part of a designed for future full electric operation. The hybrid technology bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure and funding becomes available in BC, said BC Ferries in a news release today.
From the exterior details to the engines, the design of the new vessels reduces underwater related noise, lowers emissions and improves customer service.
“The anticipated arrival of these battery hydrid-electric ferries marks a major milestone in our plan to progressively lower emissions across our fleet and be a leader in transitioning to a lower carbon future, said Mark Collins, President and CEO, BC Ferries in a news release today.
The vessels departed from Romania on November 20, 2019 on a semi-submersible transport vessel. The ships will spend five days at the Breakwater District at Ogden Point while preparations are made to unload and deliver them to Point Hope Maritime in Victoria. The transport ship will partially submerge and the two ships will be floated off and maneuvered by tugs to Point Hope Maritime.
Repair and maintenance of the vessels will be performed locally in BC at Point Hope Maritime in Victoria. After the ships arrive in Victoria, Point Hope Maritime will recommission the ships to make them transport-ready. This work includes starting up all of the systems and doing final inspections. After that, BC Ferries will take ownership of the ships. The ships will be christened before BC Ferries moves on to crew training, ship familiarization and dock fits.
The ships will be used for service on the Powell River-Texada Island and Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula routes by mid-2020.
BC Ferries will hold events to celebrate the introduction of these new vessels, with both employees and the communities.