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B.C. Ferries’ newest vessel arrives at Richmond

B.C.’s new hybrid ferry arrived at the B.C. Ferries facility in Richmond during the noon hour today, after a nearly two-month journey from Poland. Salish Orca is fuelled by natural gas and diesel.
Salish Orca-1.jpg
Capable of operating on both natural gas and low-sulphur diesel fuel, Salish Orca travelled more than 10,000 nautical miles on its 50-day journey from Poland, through the Canary Islands and the Panama Canal on its way to British Columbia. It is to dock Wednesday at a refitting facility in Richmond.

B.C.’s new hybrid ferry arrived at the B.C. Ferries facility in Richmond during the noon hour today, after a nearly two-month journey from Poland.

Salish Orca is fuelled by natural gas and diesel.

“She will have to undergo an inspection and clear customs,” said spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.

The ship also will be inspected by Health Canada before ownership is transferred from Remontowa Shipbuilding in Gdansk, Poland, to B.C. Ferries.

“There are some extra fuel tanks on board that need to be moved and the visor door was welded shut for the transatlantic journey,” Marshall said.

The vessel left Poland in November, travelling more than 10,000 nautical miles on its 50-day journey through the Canary Islands and the Panama Canal on its way to B.C.

“Overall, the voyage went well,” Marshall said.

The vessel operated on both LNG and diesel during the trip, and three B.C. Ferries crew members were on board to familiarize themselves with the ferry.

After the vessel is inspected, it will move to Tsawwassen for crew training. The ferry is scheduled to be in operation by early spring on the Powell River-Comox route, Marshall said.

Salish Orca is the first of three ferries set to join the fleet this year.

The new Salish-class vessels replace the Queen of Burnaby and Queen of Nanaimo, which are being retired after more than 50 years of service.

Remontowa Shipbuilding was contracted to build the new ferries for about $200 million.

They are 105 metres long and can carry 145 vehicles and 600 passengers, and are decked out in art designed by B.C. First Nations artists.

Esquimalt artist Darlene Gait designed the pod of orcas that adorn the Salish Orca.

The art for the Salish Eagle, set to arrive in March, was done by John Marston of the Stz’uminus First Nation, and the design for the Salish Raven, due to arrive in May, was done by Thomas Cannell of the Musqueam First Nation.

B.C. Ferries said the new vessels, with their two-fuel systems, will account for an estimated reduction of 9,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year. This is equivalent to taking around 1,900 vehicles off the road, the corporation said.

spetrescu@timescolonist.com