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.

The three ferries (, , and ) 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.

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. The three ships are  long overall and  between perpendiculars with a beam of . They have a maximum draught of . All three vessels have the same maximum displacement of , but have varying tonnages; Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Celebration have a gross tonnage (GT) of 21,777 and Coastal Inspiration, a GT of 21,980. Coastal Renaissance has a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 2,366, Coastal Inspiration, a DWT of 1,770 and Coastal Celebration, a DWT of 2,350.

The ships are powered by four 8-cylinder MaK 8M32C diesel engines driving two  electric motors turning two controllable pitch propellers. The engines are split into two main compartments and each compartment can run independently. The engines are rated at . The ferries have a maximum speed of  and a cruising speed of . 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. The class has a capacity of 1,604 passengers and crew and  lane space for 310 full-sized family vehicles. Initial reports stated the vessels could carry 1,650 passengers and crew and 370 cars. Amenities aboard each ferry include a Coastal Cafe, a Coast Cafe Express, Sitka Coffee Place, lounge, gift shop, and children's and pet areas.

Ships in class

Acquisition and service

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. This was a controversial decision, which led to Canadian shipbuilders protesting the decision. 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. 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.

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

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

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

References

External links
BC Ferries Newbuild Program

 
Ships built in Flensburg
Ferry classes