The Time Colonist brings a story about a safety exercise onboard BC Ferries’ ro-pax ferry SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND. The scenario was based on a mock collision between the ferry and the SALISH EAGLE at Swartz Bay.
The Squamish Chief published an interesting article about how BC Ferries was looking at the future developments regarding self-driving cars.
Mark Collins, president of BC Ferries suggests that self-driving cars might deliver profound changes to ferry use. Some examples:
- A terminal would need more space for foot passengers, plus areas for self-driving vehicles to arrive and depart.
- Ferries could transport freight only, and no cars, because an autonomous vehicle on the other side could pick up the foot passengers. This would mean a different kind of garage deck.
- Ferries with flexible spaces, similar to hotels where flexible walls are used to create different sizes of meeting spaces.
Photo: BC Ferries
BC Ferries will be introducing a smoke-free environment in all BC Ferries locations, including terminals and vessels starting January 22, 2018. This also includes the interior of all vehicles on BC Ferries property.
The new smoke-free policy applies to tobacco and any other substance including e-cigarettes, and is expected to reduce the number of complaints BC Ferries receives from customers related to second-hand smoke.
BC Ferries published its results of the last three and six-month period ending on September 30.
Some highlights:
Three month ending September 30
- Revenue: 309.5 (298.9)
- Operating profit: 112.6 (108.5)
- Net earnings: 98.4 (95.2)
Six months ending September 30
- Revenue 535.4 (518.1)
- Operating profit: 144.1 (149.1)
- Net earnings: 115.7 (122.2)
- BC Ferries’ NORTHERN SEA WOLF, the small car ferry acquired for the new route from Port Hardy – Bella Coola, is on its way to British Columbia. Formerly known as AQUA SPIRIT she departed from the port of Piraeus on November 3 for the 10,097 nautical mile journey to her new home in British Columbia.
- High-speed ferry KRILO ECLIPSE arrived under tow in Piraeus. After one season in Croatia, she has been bought by Golden Star Ferries. Her new name will be SUPERSPEED.
- Grimaldi Group was awarded the “Leadership Excellence Award” by the US-based Panorama magazine. During a three-day event Italian excellence was introduced to an American audience.
- Faergen has sold ro-pax HAMMERODDE to Stena RoRo. However, it will continue to operate between Køge and Bornholm until 1 September 2018, when Molslinjen takes over the service from Faergen. Which plans Stena has for the ship is unknown.
BC Ferries have decided to send two ro-pax vessels to Remontowa Ship Repair Yard S.A. in Gdansk, Poland, for a mid-life upgrade. This includes the conversion of both vessels to dual-fuel.
The 1993-built SPIRIT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA has left Canada on September 12, bound for Poland. Sister vessel SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND (1994) will follow the next year, after the summer season.
BC Ferries plans to operate these two vessels for another 25 years.
