BC Ferries' Mike Corrigan tells us about the company’s current refit and newbuild projects
By
Rebecca |
This article was first published in the Spring/Summer 2015 issue of Cruise & Ferry Interiors.
Canadian ferry operator BC Ferries (BCF) is no stranger to building and refitting ferries. Not only did it complete a CAD12 million mid-life interior upgrade on Queen of Capilano between January and May 2015, it will also launch four newbuilds between summer 2015 and 2017 as part of its vessel replacement plan.
Built at Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyard, the 150-passenger Baynes Sound Connector cable ferry will operate on the Buckley Bay – Denman Island route this autumn. Meanwhile, Poland’s Remontowa Shipyard is building three dual-fuel, 600-passenger Salish-class ferries – Salish Orca, Salish Eagle and Salish Raven – which will replace older vessels on the Comox – Powell River, Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands, and Southern Gulf Islands routes in summer 2016, spring 2017 and summer 2017 respectively.
In September 2017 and 2018, BCF will also commence mid-life upgrades and engine conversions on Spirit of Vancouver Island and Spirit of British Columbia, which operate on its busiest route between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
“This will be particularly challenging because we need to completely replace the diesel engines with engines that can run on either LNG or ultra-low sulphur diesel and add an LNG storage tank – plus it must be integrated into the existing hull configuration,” says Corrigan. “Our three prospective contractors – Remontowa, Seaspan’s Vancouver Shipyards and Fincantieri – have been given additional time for design proposals and to gain engineering and regulatory approvals. Once we choose the contractor later this year, we’ll extend the design and build schedule so it can procure the propulsion and power-generation systems.”
Whether working on a newbuild or an existing ferry, Corrigan explains that BCF follows the same contractor procurement guidelines and ‘design and build’ methodology. “The contractors are responsible for building a compliant vessel for the agreed price by the deadline, while BCF provides an onsite project management team and the shipowner is accountable for managing the budget, deadlines, quality assurance and regulatory compliance.”
Corrigan emphasises that picking a contractor who can design a functional, yet comfortable interior is a key priority. “We work with our contractors to provide the services customers want, but in a way that maximises revenue,” he explains. “Customer feedback has also been used to improve access for disabled passengers, to design pet areas and to determine the optimal seating configuration.”
Alongside voyage duration and crew availability, customer feedback is also one of the factors BCF considers when devising the onboard food, beverage and retail services.
“We must have a minimum number of crew per vessel, which gives us capacity to offer retail and catering services that are tailored to individual routes,” says Corrigan. “For example, the Baynes Sound Connector won’t offer catering during her ten-minute crossing, whereas the Salish-class ferries will feature food services because their crossings can last 90 minutes. Meanwhile the upgraded Spirit Class ferries will feature expanded catering and retail areas.”
He adds: “We see these newbuilds and upgrades as a win-win situation for our company and most importantly, the environment and the people of British Columbia and the other communities
we serve.”