By
Rebecca Gibson |
Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries is to carry out a CAD$18 million mid-life upgrade on Queen of Cumberland to prepare the vessel for another 20 years of safe and reliable service.
To be carried out at Vancouver Island’s Esquimalt Drydocking Company, the refit will last between 21 November 2015 and 17 April 2016. Engineers will carry out various safety, mechanical and customer service improvements, installing a new boat deck entrance/exit for foot passengers, a pet area and an enhanced evacuation system.
In addition, all stairwells, the disabled bathroom, the elevator system, the intercom and public address system, and the CCTV and security systems will be upgraded. The rescue boat will also be replaced.
“A significant upgrade such as the one the Queen of Cumberland is undergoing allows BC Ferries to operate a more efficient vessel for decades into the future,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ vice president of Engineering. “We are confident that our customers will see positive results and we hope they are pleased with this commitment to reliable service.”
While Queen of Cumberland is in drydock, both Skeena Queen and Bowern Queen will service her regular route between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands.
Skeena Queen will cover Queen of Cumberland for the busy morning and late afternoon periods before returning to her regular Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour route for the remainder of the day. After servicing Skeena Queen’s Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour route during peak times, Bowen Queen will move to Queen of Cumberland’s route during the quieter periods of the day. The vessels will swap routes each weekday.