Hybrid electric ferries arrive in BC this weekend

Photo: BC Ferries

BC Ferries' two new Island Class hybrid electric vessels are expected to arrive this weekend.

The ferries are being transported by the Sun Rise heavy carrier. It has been slightly delayed because of poor weather.

“The ships will spend several days at Ogden Point while preparations are made to unload and deliver them to Point Hope Maritime,” says Tessa Humphries, spokesperson for BC Ferries.

For this to happen, the Sun Rise, a semi-submersible transport ship, will partially submerge, she said.

The new ferries “will be floated off and manoeuvred by tugs to Point Hope Maritime,” Humphries said.

“Point Hope is recommissioning the ships, which includes various work before BC Ferries takes ownership of the vessels.”

Built by Damen Shipyards Group in Romania, the Sun Rise left that country in late November, passing through the Panama Canal on its way here.

The Island Class ferries will be deployed on the Powell River-Texada Island and Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula routes by mid year.