 Spirit of British Columbia | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Canada | |
| Name | Spirit of British Columbia |
| Namesake | British Columbia |
| Owner | British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. |
| Operator | British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. |
| Port of registry | Victoria, British Columbia |
| Route | Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay |
| Builder | Integrated Ferry,Esquimalt |
| Yard number | 559 |
| Launched | 17 April 1992 |
| Completed | February 1993 |
| In service | 1993 |
| Refit | 2018 |
| Homeport | Tsawwassen |
| Identification |
|
| Status | Active |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | S-classferry |
| Tonnage | 18,747 GT |
| Displacement | 11,642 t (11,458 long tons; 12,833 short tons) |
| Length | |
| Beam | 32.9 m (107 ft 11 in) |
| Decks | 7 |
| Deck clearance | 4.42 m (14 ft 6 in) for lower car decks |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | 2 controllable pitch propellers and 2bow thrusters |
| Speed | 19.5knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph) |
| Capacity |
|
MVSpirit of British Columbia is anS-classferry, part of theBC Ferries fleet active along theBritish Columbia coast. It andSpirit of Vancouver Island represent the two largest ships in the fleet. The ship was completed in 1993 and serves theTsawwassen–Swartz Bay route. In 2018, it underwent a mid-life refit that included conversion to a dual-fuel system that allows it to use eithermarine diesel oil orliquefied natural gas.
Spirit of British Columbia is anS-classferry that measures 167.5 m (549 ft 6 in)long overall and 156.0 m (511 ft 10 in)between perpendiculars with abeam of 32.9 m (107 ft 11 in). The vessel has a 18,747 gross tonnage (GT), 2,925 tonsdeadweight (DWT) and adisplacement of 11,642 tonnes (11,458 long tons; 12,833 short tons).[1][2] The gross tonnage later increased to 21,958 as of 2018.[3]
The ferry was initially powered by fourMAN 6L40/54[4]diesel engines driving twoshafts creating 21,394horsepower (15,954 kW).[1][2]Spirit of British Columbia has a maximum speed of 19.5knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph). In 2018, the ferry began a mid-life refit that involved changing the propulsion system to a dual-fuel system comprising fourWärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines which allows the ship to use eithermarine diesel oil orliquefied natural gas to power the ship.[5] Further changes include navigation and propulsion equipment, steering and evacuation systems, lighting and air conditioning. Passenger areas were upgraded including the lounges, bathrooms and retail areas.[6][7]
The ferry has capacity for 2,100 passengers and crew and 358 automobiles. The ferry is equipped with lounges and cafes.[2]
Spirit of British Columbia was constructed in two parts inBritish Columbia. The ferry's forepart was built byAllied Shipbuilders ofNorth Vancouver with theyard number 254. The rest of the ship was constructed byIntegrated Ferry ofEsquimalt, British Columbia with the yard number 559. The two sections were joined and the vessel waslaunched on 17 April 1992 and completed in February 1993.[1] Owned and operated byBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc. along theBritish Columbia Coast,Spirit of British Columbia was assigned to theTsawwassen–Swartz Bay route.[2]
From 2005 to 2006, the S-class ferries underwent major refits.[8]
In late 2017,Spirit of British Columbia departed for Poland to undergo its mid-life refit. The refit included conversion to dual-fuel propulsion. The $140 million refit was completed by Remontowa Ship Repair Yard inGdańsk. The ferry returned to service in June 2018.[7][9]
Media related toSpirit of British Columbia (ship, 1993) at Wikimedia Commons