The Island-class ferries are ferries owned and operated by BC Ferries. Six vessels were built between 2019 and 2021 by Damen Shipyards Group, a Dutch company, in Romania.[1][2] The first two ships were launched in mid-March 2019, and commenced service in June 2020. Two of an additional four vessels commenced service in April 2022, and the remaining two are due to enter service in late 2022.[3]
The vessels are powered by a diesel-electric hybrid system, and will transition to full electric operation when shore-side electric charging stations and funding becomes available.[3][4]
The Island-class vessels were designed by Damen Shipyards Group as Damen Road Ferry 8117 E3,[5] with input from both the public and BC Ferries. The ferries are diesel-electric hybrid-powered, measuring 80.8 metres (265 ft 1 in) long and have a beam of 17 metres (55 ft 9 in).[2] Each ship has the capacity for 47 vehicles, and between 300 and 450 passengers and crew. Features include a gallery deck for increased vehicle capacity, heated solariums on both sides of the sun deck, an indoor passenger lounge on the main car deck, and a small pet area. The vessels are also the most environmentally friendly in the fleet, as they will switch from the current hybrid technology to operating fully electric when shore equipment is installed. In addition, the Island-class ships are extremely quiet, creating less underwater radiated noise disturbance to marine life and providing a more enjoyable sailing for passengers. BC Ferries has also said that the weather conditions tolerance of the Island class is similar to their larger major vessel classes.[6] The vessels are double ended and are considered the minor class of the BC Ferries standardization plan.[citation needed]
The first two vessels were announced in 2017 and launched in March 2019. All vessels were built by Damen Shipyards Galati.[4] Construction was completed in July, and the vessels were loaded on board a semi-submersible transport ship for the two-month crossing from Romania to Canada, and were delivered in Victoria, British Columbia on January 18, 2020. On February 19, the vessels were christened and named Island Discovery and Island Aurora. They entered service that same summer, June 10 on the Powell River to Texada Island route, and June 18 on the Alert Bay - Port McNeill - Sointula route respectively.[10]
Island Kwigwis and Island Gwawis
On November 6, 2019, BC Ferries ordered four more of the vessels, which are all due to enter service in 2022. Each vessel in this phase made the transatlantic voyage under its own power and temporary name.[11] All four vessels were later named in the Kwakwaka'wakw indigenous language, replacing their temporary numbered name. Island 3 became Island Nagalis (meaning "dawn on the land) and Island 4 became Island K'ulut'a (meaning "porpoise") on August 23, 2021.[12] Island 5 was revealed and christened as Island Kwigwis (meaning "eagle of the sea") on December 14, 2021.[13] Island 6 marked the completion of phase 2 as Island Gwawis (meaning "raven of the sea") on January 11, 2022.[14] Originally the new vessels were scheduled to enter service in the spring of 2022, however, the two vessels slated for the Quadra Island route have been tentatively delayed until early 2023, due to lack of available crew. Island Kwigwis and Island Gwawis entered service and replaced Quinsam on the Gabriola Island route on April 12, 2022.[15] Most of the Island-class vessels underwent sea trials in the Saanich Inlet, near Victoria, and in Baynes Sound before their entry to service, and spent time at both the Point Hope Shipyard and BC Ferries Deas Dock.[citation needed]
The name Island Gwawis received backlash from Snuneymuxw First Nation on the grounds of discrimination, after the vessel, named in another First Nations language, operated through Snuneymuxw territory. The group had been invited to participate in the naming process along with other indigenous groups.[16]
In its nearly first two years of service, the Island Discovery has been replaced multiple times by the Island Aurora, Island K'ulut'a, and Island Nagalis on the Powell River - Texada Island route due to mechanical issues.[17] The Island K'ulut'a also spent a brief period of time on the Alert Bay - Port McNeill - Sointula route. In preparation for dual ship service on both Route 19 (Gabriola Island) and Route 23 (Quadra Island), the Island Aurora conducted test sailings with the primary vessel on the routes. Island Gwawis also test sailed in tandem with the Quinsam in the days leading up to the new service it would provide.[citation needed]
Referencesedit
^"BC Ferries receives delivery of new hybrid electric island class ferries". Global News. January 24, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2020.
^ ab"BC Ferries' Island Class Vessels". BC Ferries. Retrieved May 8, 2020.
^ abBC Ferries' Island Class vessels (Video). BC Ferries. February 26, 2020. Retrieved March 10, 2020.
^"Road Ferries". Damen Shipyards. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"Island Class Ferries 2022". BC Ferries. Retrieved April 22, 2022.
^ ab"BC Ferries gives Indigenous names to newest hybrid vessels". CTV News. August 23, 2021. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
^"Island Kwigwis, 'eagle of the sea,' to begin Nanaimo-Gabriola service in the new year". Nanaimo News Bulletin. December 15, 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2021.
^"Newest Island-class ferry will be called Island Gwawis, 'raven of the sea'". Campbell River Mirror. January 11, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
^Chan, Kenneth (January 8, 2020). "BC Ferries' first new hybrid-electric vessels arrive from Europe (VIDEO)". Daily Hive. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^Chan, Kenneth (November 6, 2019). "BC Ferries orders 4 new hybrid-electric vessels from Europe for $200 million". Daily Hive. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"BC Ferries announces the names of the newest Island Class ferries" (Press release). BC Ferries. August 23, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"BC Ferries names and christens the fifth Island Class ferry" (Press release). BC Ferries. December 14, 2021. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"BC Ferries names its sixth Island Class ferry" (Press release). BC Ferries. January 11, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"Two Vessel Operation Coming to Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island Route" (Press release). BC Ferries. April 11, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"B.C. First Nation chief 'frustrated' with name choice for BC Ferries new ship". Saanich News. January 13, 2022. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
^"Salish Eagle to cover Powell River/Texada Island route until further notice". preak.com. August 31, 2020. Retrieved April 24, 2022.
November 03, 2023
island, class, ferry, island, class, ferries, ferries, owned, operated, ferries, vessels, were, built, between, 2019, 2021, damen, shipyards, group, dutch, company, romania, first, ships, were, launched, march, 2019, commenced, service, june, 2020, additional,. The Island class ferries are ferries owned and operated by BC Ferries Six vessels were built between 2019 and 2021 by Damen Shipyards Group a Dutch company in Romania 1 2 The first two ships were launched in mid March 2019 and commenced service in June 2020 Two of an additional four vessels commenced service in April 2022 and the remaining two are due to enter service in late 2022 3 Island AuroraClass overviewNameIsland classBuildersDamen ShipyardsOperatorsBC FerriesPreceded byT class Powell River classIn service2020 presentPlanned13Completed6Active6General characteristicsTypeFerryLength80 80 m 265 ft 1 in Beam17 00 m 55 ft 9 in Draught3 20 m 10 ft 6 in Depth5 70 m 18 ft 8 in Installed power2 1 500 kW 2 000 hp diesel generators 2 400 kW battery packsPropulsion2 900 kW 1 200 hp azimuth thrusters electric driveSpeed14 knots 26 km h 16 mph Capacity300 passengers and crewCrew6The vessels are powered by a diesel electric hybrid system and will transition to full electric operation when shore side electric charging stations and funding becomes available 3 4 Contents 1 Description 2 Island class vessels 3 Construction and service history 4 ReferencesDescription editThe Island class vessels were designed by Damen Shipyards Group as Damen Road Ferry 8117 E3 5 with input from both the public and BC Ferries The ferries are diesel electric hybrid powered measuring 80 8 metres 265 ft 1 in long and have a beam of 17 metres 55 ft 9 in 2 Each ship has the capacity for 47 vehicles and between 300 and 450 passengers and crew Features include a gallery deck for increased vehicle capacity heated solariums on both sides of the sun deck an indoor passenger lounge on the main car deck and a small pet area The vessels are also the most environmentally friendly in the fleet as they will switch from the current hybrid technology to operating fully electric when shore equipment is installed In addition the Island class ships are extremely quiet creating less underwater radiated noise disturbance to marine life and providing a more enjoyable sailing for passengers BC Ferries has also said that the weather conditions tolerance of the Island class is similar to their larger major vessel classes 6 The vessels are double ended and are considered the minor class of the BC Ferries standardization plan citation needed Island class vessels editIsland class construction data Photo Name Launched Delivered Routes Status Notes nbsp Island Discovery March 2019 January 18 2020 18 Powell River Texada Island In service Began service on June 10 2020 nbsp Island Aurora March 2019 January 18 2020 25 Port McNeil Alert Bay Sointula In service Began service on June 18 2020 nbsp Island Nagalis 7 October 29 2020 July 22 2021 23 Campbell River Quadra Island In service Began service on January 18 2023 nbsp Island K ulut a 7 December 17 2020 August 13 2021 23 Campbell River Quadra Island In service Began service on January 17 2023 nbsp Island Kwigwis 8 February 22 2021 September 28 2021 19 Nanaimo Harbour Gabriola Island In service Began service on April 12 2022 nbsp Island Gwawis 9 April 22 2021 December 23 2021 19 Nanaimo Harbour Gabriola Island In service Began service on April 12 2022Construction and service history editThe first two vessels were announced in 2017 and launched in March 2019 All vessels were built by Damen Shipyards Galati 4 Construction was completed in July and the vessels were loaded on board a semi submersible transport ship for the two month crossing from Romania to Canada and were delivered in Victoria British Columbia on January 18 2020 On February 19 the vessels were christened and named Island Discovery and Island Aurora They entered service that same summer June 10 on the Powell River to Texada Island route and June 18 on the Alert Bay Port McNeill Sointula route respectively 10 nbsp Island Kwigwis and Island GwawisOn November 6 2019 BC Ferries ordered four more of the vessels which are all due to enter service in 2022 Each vessel in this phase made the transatlantic voyage under its own power and temporary name 11 All four vessels were later named in the Kwakwaka wakw indigenous language replacing their temporary numbered name Island 3 became Island Nagalis meaning dawn on the land and Island 4 became Island K ulut a meaning porpoise on August 23 2021 12 Island 5 was revealed and christened as Island Kwigwis meaning eagle of the sea on December 14 2021 13 Island 6 marked the completion of phase 2 as Island Gwawis meaning raven of the sea on January 11 2022 14 Originally the new vessels were scheduled to enter service in the spring of 2022 however the two vessels slated for the Quadra Island route have been tentatively delayed until early 2023 due to lack of available crew Island Kwigwis and Island Gwawis entered service and replaced Quinsam on the Gabriola Island route on April 12 2022 15 Most of the Island class vessels underwent sea trials in the Saanich Inlet near Victoria and in Baynes Sound before their entry to service and spent time at both the Point Hope Shipyard and BC Ferries Deas Dock citation needed The name Island Gwawis received backlash from Snuneymuxw First Nation on the grounds of discrimination after the vessel named in another First Nations language operated through Snuneymuxw territory The group had been invited to participate in the naming process along with other indigenous groups 16 In its nearly first two years of service the Island Discovery has been replaced multiple times by the Island Aurora Island K ulut a and Island Nagalis on the Powell River Texada Island route due to mechanical issues 17 The Island K ulut a also spent a brief period of time on the Alert Bay Port McNeill Sointula route In preparation for dual ship service on both Route 19 Gabriola Island and Route 23 Quadra Island the Island Aurora conducted test sailings with the primary vessel on the routes Island Gwawis also test sailed in tandem with the Quinsam in the days leading up to the new service it would provide citation needed References edit BC Ferries receives delivery of new hybrid electric island class ferries Global News January 24 2020 Retrieved April 4 2020 a b Damen Road ferry 8117 E3 Damen Shipyards Retrieved April 4 2020 a b BC Ferries Island Class Vessels BC Ferries Retrieved May 8 2020 a b BC Ferries Island Class vessels Video BC Ferries February 26 2020 Retrieved March 10 2020 Road Ferries Damen Shipyards Retrieved April 24 2022 Island Class Ferries 2022 BC Ferries Retrieved April 22 2022 a b BC Ferries gives Indigenous names to newest hybrid vessels CTV News August 23 2021 Retrieved August 24 2021 Island Kwigwis eagle of the sea to begin Nanaimo Gabriola service in the new year Nanaimo News Bulletin December 15 2021 Retrieved December 16 2021 Newest Island class ferry will be called Island Gwawis raven of the sea Campbell River Mirror January 11 2022 Retrieved January 12 2022 Chan Kenneth January 8 2020 BC Ferries first new hybrid electric vessels arrive from Europe VIDEO Daily Hive Retrieved April 24 2022 Chan Kenneth November 6 2019 BC Ferries orders 4 new hybrid electric vessels from Europe for 200 million Daily Hive Retrieved April 24 2022 BC Ferries announces the names of the newest Island Class ferries Press release BC Ferries August 23 2021 Retrieved April 24 2022 BC Ferries names and christens the fifth Island Class ferry Press release BC Ferries December 14 2021 Retrieved April 24 2022 BC Ferries names its sixth Island Class ferry Press release BC Ferries January 11 2022 Retrieved April 24 2022 Two Vessel Operation Coming to Nanaimo Harbour Gabriola Island Route Press release BC Ferries April 11 2022 Retrieved April 24 2022 B C First Nation chief frustrated with name choice for BC Ferries new ship Saanich News January 13 2022 Retrieved April 24 2022 Salish Eagle to cover Powell River Texada Island route until further notice preak com August 31 2020 Retrieved April 24 2022 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Island class ferry amp oldid 1163294499, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
