B.C. Ferries Ship Shopping

Friday, April 14, 2006 03:49 AM

B.C. Ferries is shopping for a ship that can replace the Queen of the North. While the search for a replacement is global, B.C. Ferries says even if it were to buy a ship tomorrow, it could be months before the replacement could be brought up to Transport Canada's stringent requirements.

Meantime, the Queen of Prince Rupert resumes service Wednesday of next week with a 4:30 p.m. sailing from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. Then on Thursday the 20th, (two days short of a month since the Queen of the North sank) the Queen of Prince Rupert will sail from Prince Rupert bound for the Queen Charlotte Islands.

The return of the Queen of Prince Rupert is a few days later than planned. B.C. Ferries says the original April 15th sailing date was delayed as "additional work is required on the vessel to meet all regulatory requirements. As safety is BC Ferries’ first priority, the ship will only sail once it has received approval from Transport Canada. "

Barge and air service between Prince Rupert and the Queen Charlotte Islands continues.

The Queen of Prince Rupert will service both the Port Hardy – Prince Rupert and Prince Rupert – Queen Charlotte Islands routes until mid-May. The Nimpkish will continue serving Bella Coola, Klemtu and stops at Ocean Falls from Bella Bella.

As for the environmental issues associated with the sinking, the last report indicated the diesel sheen was diminishing. B.C. Ferries has met with a couple of marine salvage companies to talk about their options to prevent further leakage. The options could involve pumping out the remainig fuel, or sealing off the tanks.

Under the Environmental Management Act, BC Ferries is responsible for all costs of the clean up.

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Posted on Friday, April 14, 2006 03:49 AM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on April 14 2006 6:53 AM

Looking for a used ship? I know where there is one, it's only 1400 feet away from being in service!

Posted by: diplomat on April 14 2006 12:47 PM

There are three aluminum "Fast Ferries" tied up in Vancouver Harbor. Maybe one can be made to actually run and ply the coast in a leisurely limp-along mode?

Better than nothing, perhaps.

Naw, forget it...just kidding!

Posted by: owl on April 14 2006 3:11 PM

I thought that the main problem was that they created too much of a wake. If so, then all that may be needed is more of an open sea route or one which stayed further offshore.

Of course, since it had no berths, passengers would have to overnight in sleeping bags on deck. LOL

;-)