By
Elizabeth Robinson |
BC Ferries’ newest vessel, Northern Sea Wolf, will undergo an upgrade at Esquimalt Drydock from December 2017 to April 2018.
BC Ferries has awarded two major contracts to Esquimalt, which is located in British Columbia, Canada. The first is a CA$2 million (US$1.55 million) docking contract for underwater components. BC Ferries will also award approximately CA$18 million further to Esquimalt and other local contractors and suppliers for the interior and safety upgrades.
BC Ferries expects Northern Sea Wolf to arrive in British Columbia this week after a 10,097 nautical mile journey from Athens, Greece.
The upgrade will include interior and exterior painting, overhauling the propulsion engines and gearboxes, installing new electrical generators, upgrading the switchboards, installing new navigational equipment, and upgrading shipboard safety equipment and systems.
BC Ferries will also update crew and passenger areas by adding a full galley, a dining area, a newly configured seating lounge and outdoor viewing areas on the upper outer decks.
Sailings will depart from Port Hardy and Bella Coola five days per week during peak season. The vessel will also provide year-round service to Bella Bella, Shearwater and Ocean Falls.
“This award to Esquimalt Drydock Company strengthens the capability of ship repair in British Columbia and supports our objective of long term, sustainable ferry service for coastal communities,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ vice president, strategy and community engagement. “This major upgrade will provide significant enhancements to the customer amenities and the vessel will undoubtedly be a very welcome addition to our fleet as it travels from northern Vancouver Island to the mid-coast starting next summer.”
“This project will take approximately four months to complete with a peak workforce of 100 personnel of all trades,” said Joe Sansalone, general manager of Esquimalt Drydock Company. “We look forward to working with BC Ferries again and to the successful completion of this project.”