The return-to-service date for the Coastal Renaissance has received yet another delay, with it now expected to return in March, seven months after being pulled from service.
Initially, on Aug. 16 when the ferry was first pulled from service, it was only expected to be out for the 16th and 17th.
Then the next day, BC Ferries announced the vessel would be out of service for “weeks.”
One week later, as the company gained more information, it was announced it would be out of service until “at least” mid-October.
Then one month later, it was determined the repairs would be complete and the Coastal Renaissance would be ready to return to service in mid-December.
Late-November, additional issues were found during the repairs and the timeline to return was back up-in-the-air.
Now, BC Ferries says the Coastal Renaissance is expected to return to service in early March 2024 — almost seven months after it initially was pulled due to the mechanical issue.
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File photo of a drive motor with a partially removed copper rotor. Workers face blurred by BC Ferries. (BC Ferries handout image)
“The Coastal Inspiration will assume sailing duties on the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen route from January 3, 2024 through March when the Renaissance will resume service on the route,” BC Ferries says in a notice on its website.
“BC Ferries is taking a flexible approach to the deployment of its vessels across routes and is pleased to be able to put its passengers first and maintain the same capacity levels that were originally planned.”
BC Ferries says it will hold a media availability “early in the New Year” to provide more information.
Additionally, the other two Coastal class vessels BC Ferries has in its fleet will have to undergo the same repairs as the Coastal Renaissance. BC Ferries says all of the three vessels should have repairs complete in time for the summer season.
READ MORE: Coastal Renaissance no longer expected to return to service in December
The issue that resulted in the Coastal Renaissance being pulled from service was with the number two drive motor. Each of the Coastal class of vessels has two drive motors, and both are required to operate the ferry.
The drive motor from the Coastal Renaissance was sent to Indiana for repairs.
Laura Brougham
