Times Colonist -\u00a0May 9, 2015<\/p>\n
B.C. Ferries has christened the newest addition to its fleet, a $15-million cable ferry that will run between Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island and Denman Island.<\/p>\n
Unveiled Friday during a ceremony at Seaspan\u2019s shipyard in North Vancouver, the Baynes Sound Connector was named for the channel between the two islands on its route.<\/p>\n
One of the world\u2019s largest cable ferries, it will arrive shortly in Buckley Bay, where three cables have been installed.<\/p>\n
Ferries crews will be trained in June and July to operate the vessel.<\/p>\n
The 258-foot-long cable ferry is slated to start service this summer after receiving certification from Transport Canada and the classification society Lloyd\u2019s Register, a joint Seaspan-B.C. Ferries statement said.<\/p>\n
It will have room for 150 passengers and 50 vehicles. The ferry will cross a distance of 6,234 feet and will be capable of reaching speeds of 8.5 knots.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are proud to construct and officially christen [B.C. Ferries\u2019] first-ever cable ferry,\u201d said Brian Carter, president of Seaspan Shipyards, in a statement.<\/p>\n
Mike Corrigan, B.C. Ferries\u2019 president, said Seaspan workers have \u201cproduced a fine vessel for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ferries has come under criticism for contracting with a Polish shipyard to build three new intermediate-class ferries. Seaspan had been the sole Canadian bidder shortlisted for that job, but dropped out, saying it was too busy with other shipbuilding jobs.<\/p>\n
B.C. shipyards have been hired to perform refit and upgrading work on B.C. Ferries\u2019 fleet. Seaspan also owns Victoria Shipyards, based at the Esquimalt Graving Dock.<\/p>\n