VIDEO: Fourth hybrid-electric vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet arrives in Victoria

VIDEO: Fourth hybrid-electric vessel in BC Ferries' fleet arrives in Victoria
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A fourth hybrid-electric vessel — the latest in BC Ferries’ Island Class — has arrived in Victoria after making the transatlantic journey from a shipyard in Romania.

The yet-to-be-named ship made the journey from Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania to Ogden Point in Victoria under its own power, departing Europe in early June and travelling approximately 10,700 nautical miles over 67 days.

The new BC Ferries vessel sailed around southern Vancouver Island and into Victoria’s Upper Harbour on Friday morning, visible to people around areas such as Dallas Road, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Songhees Walkway, Wharf Street, and the Johnson Street Bridge.

Upon arrival at Point Hope Maritime, final inspections will take place before BC Ferries will officially take ownership of the vessel.

Two identical vessels are already in service and the third Island Class ship departed Romania on May 19 and arrived in Victoria on July 22 of this year.

The Island Class is a hybrid diesel-electric ferry with a number of key features that support BC Ferries’ Clean Futures Plan and the company’s goal to be efficient and environmentally responsible throughout its system, according to BC Ferries.

“Once electric charging technology can be installed at BC Ferries’ terminals, these new ships will be configured to operate as all battery-electric ferries, using clean renewable hydroelectric energy,” said Captain Jamie Marshall, BC Ferries’ Vice President, Shipbuilding & Innovation.

Island Class ferries have the capacity to carry at least 47 vehicles and up to 400 passengers and crew and will allow the company to organize fleet redeployments and the retirement of existing diesel-fuelled vessels.

The vessel will be named, christened and deployed into service by 2022.

The first two hybrid-electric ships — Island Discovery and Island Aurora — completed their transatlantic journey to Vancouver Island in January 2020.

Graham CoxGraham Cox

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