Coastal-class ferry

Coastal-class ferries, also known as the "Super-C class" are three ferries owned and operated by BC Ferries of British Columbia, Canada and were built at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany. They are the second-largest ships in the BC Ferries fleet, surpassed only by the two larger, single-ended Spirit-class ferries. At the time of their building, the three ships were the largest double-ended ferries in the world, however the record has since been surpassed.

Coastal Celebration arrives at Departure Bay
Class overview
BuildersFlensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, Germany
OperatorsBC Ferries
Preceded by
Built2007–2008
In service2008–present
Completed3
Active3
General characteristics
TypeDouble-ended, roll-on/roll-off ferry
Tonnage
Displacement10,034 t (9,876 long tons)
Length
  • 160.0 m (524 ft 11 in) oa
  • 156.0 m (511 ft 10 in) pp
Beam28.2 m (92 ft 6 in)
Draught5.6 m (18 ft 4 in) max
Decks7
Installed power21,444 hp (15,991 kW)
Propulsion4 × MaK 8M32C diesel engines
Speed23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph)
Capacity
  • 1,604 passengers and crew
  • 310 vehicles

The three ferries (Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration, and Coastal Celebration) were ordered by BC Ferries to replace the aging V-class ferries. They operate on two of the busiest routes connecting the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island—Tsawwassen↔Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen↔Duke Point. In the past, they have also served the Horseshoe Bay↔Departure Bay route, but have since been reassigned.[1]

Description

The Coastal class of ferries is composed of three ships, Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration and Coastal Celebration. At launch they were the largest double-ended ferries in the world.[2] The three ships are 160.0 metres (524 ft 11 in) long overall and 154.0 metres (505 ft 3 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 28.2 metres (92 ft 6 in).[3][4][5] They have a maximum draught of 5.6 metres (18 ft 4 in).[6] All three vessels have the same maximum displacement of 10,034 tonnes (9,876 long tons),[7][8][9] but have varying tonnages; Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Celebration have a gross tonnage (GT) of 21,777[3][5] and Coastal Inspiration, a GT of 21,980.[4] Coastal Renaissance has a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 2,366,[3] Coastal Inspiration, a DWT of 1,770[4] and Coastal Celebration, a DWT of 2,350.[5]

The ships are powered by four 8-cylinder MaK 8M32C diesel engines driving two 11 MW (15,000 hp) electric motors turning two controllable pitch propellers.[6][10] The engines are split into two main compartments and each compartment can run independently.[10] The engines are rated at 21,444 horsepower (15,991 kW). The ferries have a maximum speed of 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) and a cruising speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).[7][8][9][10] The vessel has seven decks, with the passenger deck on Deck 6, above the two bridges on Deck 5, with additional passenger spaces between the two bridges on Deck 5.[10] The class has a capacity of 1,604 passengers and crew and 2,001 metres (6,565 ft) lane space for 310 full-sized family vehicles.[7][8][9][10] Initial reports stated the vessels could carry 1,650 passengers and crew and 370 cars.[2] Amenities aboard each ferry include a Coastal Cafe, a Coast Cafe Express, Sitka Coffee Place, lounge, gift shop, and children's and pet areas.[7][8][9]

Ships in class
Coastal class[3][4][5]
Name Builder Laid down Launched Completed Status
Coastal Renaissance Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, Germany January 2, 2007 April 19, 2007 October 27, 2007 Out of service for repairs
Coastal Inspiration April 23, 2007 August 31, 2007 February 8, 2008 In service
Coastal Celebration September 3, 2007 December 14, 2007 May 9, 2008 In service

Acquisition and service
Coastal Renaissance entering Departure Bay on December 13, 2007

The vessels were ordered from Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany in September 2004 for €206.4 million. According to BC Ferries at this time, this was 40 percent lower than the lowest Canadian shipyard's bid.[11] This was a controversial decision, which led to Canadian shipbuilders protesting the decision.[12] The first new Coastal-class vessel, Coastal Renaissance, departed for British Columbia on October 27, 2007, and arrived on December 13, 2007. She entered service on the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay run on March 8, 2008.[2] She was followed by Coastal Inspiration, which left Germany on February 9 and arrived March 25, and Coastal Celebration, which departed on May 9 and arrived on June 18. The vessels' names were based on submissions received during a "naming contest" in late 2005.[13][14]

Coastal Inspiration in the Strait of Georgia on June 25, 2008

Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Inspiration operate on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route. Coastal Celebration serves the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route.[15] Coastal Renaissance at one time operated from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, but has been reassigned.[1]

On December 20, 2011, Coastal Inspiration collided with the terminal at Duke Point while travelling at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph), damaging the lower vehicle ramp at the terminal and causing damage to the vessel.[16] 16 were injured in the collision and the bow door, the starboard side shell, and the rubbing plate on the ship were damaged.[17] Coastal Inspiration was then redirected to the Departure Bay terminal with the assistance of a tugboat to disembark passengers and vehicles.[16] The ship was out of service for 122 days. The cause of the crash was later found to be crew error.[17]

In August 2023, Coastal Renaissance suffered an issue with her drive motor, and the vessel was removed from service for extensive repairs.[18] As of September 28, 2023, she is expected to return to service by mid-December. Repairs are expected to cost approximately $3 million.[19]

References
  1. Matassa-Fung, Darrian (June 2, 2023). "BC Ferries reducing service in Horseshoe Bay, adding to Tsawwassen-Nanaimo route". Global News. Archived from the original on June 2, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  2. "New super-sized ferry starts service". CBC News. March 9, 2008. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  3. "Coastal Renaissance (9332755)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  4. "Coastal Inspiration (9332767)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  5. "Coastal Celebration (9332779)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  6. "Marine Investigation Report M11W0211" (PDF). Transportation Safety Board of Canada. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  7. "Coastal Renaissance". BC Ferries. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  8. "Coastal Inspiration". BC Ferries. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  9. "Coastal Celebration". BC Ferries. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  10. Haig-Brown, Alan (September 24, 2008). "Coastal Renaissance: German precision for Canadian waters". Professional Mariner. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  11. "BC Ferries' Board Approves $325 Million in Contracts" (PDF) (Press release). BC Ferries. September 17, 2004. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 3, 2007. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  12. Watson, Anne (July 28, 2013). "Local shipyards to consider bid for new ferries". North Shore News. Archived from the original on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  13. "BC Ferries new ships ahead of schedule". Vancouver Sun. March 12, 2007.
  14. "BC Ferries Announces Names for Three New Super C Vessels" (PDF) (Press release). BC Ferries. May 11, 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 16, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  15. "Coastal Celebration". BC Ferries. September 30, 2023.
  16. "B.C. ferry terminal closed after hard landing". CBC News. December 20, 2011. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  17. "BC Ferries crew blamed for 2011 Duke Point crash". CBC News. March 12, 2013. Archived from the original on February 17, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  18. "Vessel operating Tsawwassen-Nanaimo route will take at least 2 months to repair, says B.C. Ferries". CBC News. August 22, 2023. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  19. Little, Simon (September 28, 2023). "Busy long weekends expected, with BC Ferries' Coastal Renaissance out until December". Global News. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
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