By
Rebecca Gibson |
BC Ferries’ first cable ferry departed Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards in North Vancouver, Canada, on 25 August bound for Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island.
Named Baynes Sound Connector during a ceremony at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards on 8 May, the 78.5m ferry was towed to Denman West terminal by Seaspan tugs during a journey that took around ten hours. Once in Buckley Bay, the ferry will be connected to the three cables that were laid in April and will begin service this autumn after her crew undergo extensive training and she receives certification from Transport Canada and classification society Lloyd’s Register.
“This is major milestone for the cable ferry project as we get another step closer to introducing our newest vessel, the Baynes Sound Connector, into service on the Buckley Bay – Denman Island route,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ vice president of engineering. “Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards have built a fine ship that will serve our customers well for decades to come.”
Baynes Sound Connector will be able to accommodate 50 vehicles and 150 passengers and crew, and will use one drive cable and two guide cables to travel a distance of 1,900 metres between Denman Island and Buckley Bay at a speed of up to 8.5 knots. This will make Baynes Sound Connector one of the longest cable ferries in the world.
The new ferry is expected to provide BC Ferries with projected cost savings of more than CAD$80 million over her 40-year lifespan compared to the current service. This will amount to savings of CAD$2 million per year, which will help with fare affordability across the coastal ferry system.