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 (Template:MV, Template:MV, and Template:MV) 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.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>
DescriptionEdit
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.<ref name=cbc1>Template:Cite news</ref> The three ships are Template:Convert long overall and Template:Convert between perpendiculars with a beam of Template:Convert.<ref name=mircr>Template:Csr</ref><ref name=mirci>Template:Csr</ref><ref name=mircc>Template:Csr</ref> They have a maximum draught of Template:Convert.<ref name=tsb>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> All three vessels have the same maximum displacement of Template:Convert,<ref name=bcfcr>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=bcfci>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=bcfcc>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> but have varying tonnages; Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Celebration have a gross tonnage (GT) of 21,777<ref name=mircr/><ref name=mircc/> and Coastal Inspiration, a GT of 21,980.<ref name=mirci/> Coastal Renaissance has a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 2,366,<ref name=mircr/> Coastal Inspiration, a DWT of 1,770<ref name=mirci/> and Coastal Celebration, a DWT of 2,350.<ref name=mircc/>
The ships are powered by four 8-cylinder MaK 8M32C diesel engines driving two Template:Convert electric motors turning two controllable pitch propellers.<ref name=tsb/><ref name=pmar>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The engines are split into two main compartments and each compartment can run independently.<ref name=pmar/> The engines are rated at Template:Convert. The ferries have a maximum speed of Template:Convert and a cruising speed of Template:Convert.<ref name=bcfcr/><ref name=bcfci/><ref name=bcfcc/><ref name=pmar/> 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.<ref name=pmar/> The class has a capacity of 1,604 passengers and crew and Template:Convert lane space for 310 full-sized family vehicles.<ref name=bcfcr/><ref name=bcfci/><ref name=bcfcc/><ref name=pmar/> Initial reports stated the vessels could carry 1,650 passengers and crew and 370 cars.<ref name=cbc1/> Amenities aboard each ferry include a Coastal Cafe, a Coast Cafe Express, Sitka Coffee Place, lounge, gift shop, and children's and pet areas.<ref name=bcfcr/><ref name=bcfci/><ref name=bcfcc/>
Ships in classEdit
| Coastal class<ref name=mircr/><ref name=mirci/><ref name=mircc/> | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Status |
| Template:MV | Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, Germany | January 2, 2007 | April 19, 2007 | October 27, 2007 | In service |
| Template:MV | April 23, 2007 | August 31, 2007 | February 8, 2008 | In service | |
| Template:MV | September 3, 2007 | December 14, 2007 | May 9, 2008 | In service | |
Acquisition and serviceEdit
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.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref> This was a controversial decision, which led to Canadian shipbuilders protesting the decision.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref name=cbc1/> 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.<ref name="Marchschedule">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="vessel names">Template:Cite press release</ref>
Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Inspiration operate on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route. Coastal Celebration serves the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Coastal Renaissance at one time operated from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, but has been reassigned.<ref name=":0" />
On December 20, 2011, Coastal Inspiration collided with the terminal at Duke Point while travelling at Template:Convert, damaging the lower vehicle ramp at the terminal and causing damage to the vessel.<ref name="cbc2">Template:Cite news</ref> 16 were injured in the collision and the bow door, the starboard side shell, and the rubbing plate on the ship were damaged.<ref name="cbc3">Template:Cite news</ref> Coastal Inspiration was then redirected to the Departure Bay terminal with the assistance of a tugboat to disembark passengers and vehicles.<ref name="cbc2" /> The ship was out of service for 122 days. The cause of the crash was later found to be crew error.<ref name="cbc3" />
In August 2023, Coastal Renaissance suffered an issue with her drive motor, and the vessel was removed from service for extensive repairs.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The vessel's return to service was delayed at least twice.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Repairs are estimated to have cost approximately $3 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She returned to service on March 4, 2024, after being out of service for just under seven months.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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