MV Queen of Cowichan

MV Queen of Cowichan is a BC Ferries vessel, built in Victoria, British Columbia in 1976. It joined the other two C-class ferries built that year, Queen of Alberni and Queen of Coquitlam, and was followed by Queen of Surrey and Queen of Oak Bay. The ship, like all C-class ferries, is double-ended. This means the ship never has to turn around in port during regular service. The ships two MaK 12M551AK engines turn out 11,860 horsepower (8,840 kW) which gives it a service speed of 20.5 knots (38.0 km/h; 23.6 mph). Like all the C-class ferries it is 139.28 metres (456 ft 11 in) long. Almost identical to Queen of Coquitlam, the vessel has a car capacity of 312 and a passenger capacity for 1,494 people. The ship has two car decks. A lower car deck capable of carrying trucks and buses carries the overheight vehicles while the upper car deck can carry the majority of the cars on board. She is named for the regional district of Cowichan Valley Regional District.

History
Canada
Name	Queen of Cowichan
Namesake	Cowichan Valley, British Columbia
Owner	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Operator	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Route	Departure Bay - Horseshoe Bay
Builder	Burrard Yarrows Corp., Victoria
Completed	1976
Identification	IMO number: 7411143 MMSI number: 316001251 Callsign: CZ4990
Status	in active service
General characteristics
Class and type	C-class ferry
Tonnage	6503
Length	139 m (456 ft 0 in)
Installed power	11,860 hp (8,840 kW)
Propulsion	Two MaK 12M551AK
Speed	20.5 knots (38.0 km/h)
Capacity	1,494 passengers & crew 360 cars