The new boats might symbolize the future of ferry service, but a recent ceremony marking a significant construction milestone dates back to the age of wooden ships.
On Nov. 1, BC Ferries celebrated the successful keel laying of the first two of four fully electric Island Class vessels at Damen Shipyards Galați in Romania.
“The keel laying is a significant milestone, not just in the construction of these ships, but in our journey to provide enhanced capacity and service reliability for our customers while moving towards a cleaner, more sustainable fleet,” BC Ferries CEO and President Nicolas Jimenez said in a media release. “These ferries will not only reduce our environmental impact, but also increase capacity, improve service reliability and provide a quieter, more efficient travel experience for our customers.”
Jimenez, who will speak at a Chamber Business Leaders breakfast on Nov. 26, welded a coin to the central frame above the keel of each vessel, symbolizing good fortune for the ship and its future passengers. The coin chosen is a 1 oz pure silver coin, depicting five orcas off British Columbia coast.
BC Ferries plans to begin using the zero-emission ferries by 2027 on routes between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island. Each vessel will carry up to 390 passengers and 47 vehicles, operating with zero emissions by utilizing renewable shore power for battery charging. They will replace older vessels and expand the Island Class fleet, which already includes six hybrid diesel-battery electric ferries introduced in recent years.