Mid-life upgrade for BC ferry

Refurbishments will bring Service Improvements for Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay

The Queen of Oak Bay, which plies on BC Ferries’ Nanaimo-Horseshoe Bay route in British Columbia, Canada, is undergoing an extensive, six-month upgrade at Vancouver Drydock Company (VDC) in North Vancouver. The contract with the ship repairer, which is part of the Washington Marine Group, is valued at approximately $33 million and the total project cost is estimated at $40 million.

This is the first BC Ferries’ project to receive support through Industry Canada’s Structured Financing Facility (SFF), which was established in 2001 and designed to stimulate activity in the Canadian shipbuilding and industrial marine industry. A contribution of up to $4.2 million has been granted by the Federal government under the SFF, which will assist this project to proceed.

“We spend about $100 million each year on refits, upgrades and maintenance,” said Mike Corrigan, Executive Vice President, Business Development. “This support will assist us in proceeding with this project, which is part of our overall revitalization strategy.”

The 23-year-old vessel will receive a significant overhaul to prepare for another 20 years of service and the upgrade will include improved and expanded passenger amenities, as well as safety and mechanical improvements. Specifics of the project include engine propulsion system work, electrical upgrades, and modernization or replacement of important service functions such as elevators, heating and ventilation, and steel replacement.

The Queen of Oak Bay is the third of five C-class vessels identified for a mid-life upgrade. The first three vessels, which have been contracted to the VDC, represent an investment in excess of $100 million. VDC completed the mid-life upgrades to the Queen of Coquitlam in June 2003 and the Queen of Cowichan in June 2004 and has begun work on the Queen of Oak Bay which is scheduled to be completed in June this year.

In addition, BC Ferries’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Deas Pacific Marine, will be performing a number of refit projects in 2005, including the Queen of Vancouver, as well as the $14 million upgrade of the Spirit of British Columbia, scheduled from Jan. to mid March 2005.