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quote:B.C. Ferries to purchase $50.6 million ship to replace ferry that sankSeptember 18, 2006One of B.C.'s worst-kept secrets was formally announced Monday, as B.C. Ferries confirmed it is purchasing for $50.6 million a 117-meter ship from Spain to replace a ferry that sank last spring.The three-year-old Sonia is expected to be in service on the northern route by April 2007. Meanwhile, the province announced it would be amending its contract with the ferry corporation to allow the for the purchase of the new vessel and restore full service to the northern routes by next spring.Under the amended contract the province’s service payments for northern routes to BC Ferries will be $34 million, up from $19.8 million.The amended service contract, along with the forced purchase of the Sonia because of the sinking, cuts two years off the ferry corporation’s vessel replacement schedule for the northern ferries.The Sonia replaces the 40-year-old Queen of the North which struck a rock off Gil Island on March 22, en route from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy. The vessel sank. Two passengers are missing and believed dead.Throughout the summer, the busiest time for the route, the smaller Queen of Prince Rupert was servicing the route.The Queen of Prince Rupert is scheduled to be replaced in the spring of 2009. Vancouver Sun / Victoria Times-Colonist
One of B.C.'s worst-kept secrets was formally announced Monday, as B.C. Ferries confirmed it is purchasing for $50.6 million a 117-meter ship from Spain to replace a ferry that sank last spring.
The three-year-old Sonia is expected to be in service on the northern route by April 2007. Meanwhile, the province announced it would be amending its contract with the ferry corporation to allow the for the purchase of the new vessel and restore full service to the northern routes by next spring.
Under the amended contract the province’s service payments for northern routes to BC Ferries will be $34 million, up from $19.8 million.
The amended service contract, along with the forced purchase of the Sonia because of the sinking, cuts two years off the ferry corporation’s vessel replacement schedule for the northern ferries.
The Sonia replaces the 40-year-old Queen of the North which struck a rock off Gil Island on March 22, en route from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy. The vessel sank. Two passengers are missing and believed dead.
Throughout the summer, the busiest time for the route, the smaller Queen of Prince Rupert was servicing the route.
The Queen of Prince Rupert is scheduled to be replaced in the spring of 2009.
Vancouver Sun / Victoria Times-Colonist
See also:
Sonia now Sonia-X
******
Cheers
Vessel Specifications
Year Build: 2004Gross Tonnage: 9,925Length Overall: 117 metresBreadth: 20 metresDepth: 7.2 metresMaximum Draft: 4.7 metresEngine Output: 16,000 kW at 750 rpmNo. of Pax: 600+No. of Vehicles: 101No. of Cabins: 70Speed: 20.3 knotsDamage Stability: Two compartment
Ship modification work to be undertaken includes:
- Mechanical work on main engines and auxiliary systems- Hull painting- Change to Canadian registry- Modification to stern ramp to become compatible with BC Ferries' docks- Electrical upgrades- Heating and lighting modifications- New lifejackets, fire hoses and monitoring cameras- Car deck upgrades to accommodate higher loading capacity- Steel work including installation of a rubbing strake- Expansion and reconfiguration of galley and food service area- New seating- Expansion of washrooms- Relocation and expansion of gift shop- Expanding and upgrading crew common areas
And I would assume their is a lot of the ship that will remain as is, cause she is very much outfitted for the most part for the Northern Service!
And what should the exact specs be for passenger and vehicle capacity??
Pam
Lucas
I once rode a ferry from Digby Nova Scotia, to St. John New BRunswick in a gale, and they said she was an ex BC ferry but that was many years ago, 1971 if memory serves, and I don't recall her name.
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