New dual-fuel ferry will launch earlier than planned due to mechanical issues with her predecessor
By
Rebecca Gibson |
BC Ferries’ Salish Raven, the third of three new dual-fuel ferries, will start service on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route in British Columbia, Canada on 3 August.
Salish Raven will launch earlier than planned due to mechanical issues with her predecessor Queen of Nanaimo, which was originally scheduled to retire in autumn.
“The 53-year old Queen of Nanaimo, which is set to retire from the BC Ferries’ fleet this autumn, experienced a mechanical problem with the starboard controllable pitch propeller last week and repair plans continue for that the vessel,” said Mark Wilson, vice president of engineering at BC Ferries “Engineers have been unable to determine the root cause of the problem with the Queen of Nanaimo as yet, so we are focusing our crew resources into getting the new ship, Salish Raven, into service sooner than we had originally planned.”
Salish Raven will be based at Tsawwassen terminal for the summer serving the Southern Gulf Islands. Sister ship Salish Eagle, which entered service in June, will now move to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island to sail in the Southern Gulf Islands. Meanwhile Salish Orca, which debuted in May, will continue to serve the Comox – Powell River route.
“In less than three months, we will have introduced three new ships into service which has been an amazing coordination of effort and resources with our shipboard crews, shore side support teams, fleet maintenance unit and vessel replacement programme staff,” said Wilson. “We’re pleased to now welcome our customers aboard Salish Raven and the ship will provide safe and reliable service for our passengers for decades to come.”