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B.C. Ferries vessel Coastal Inspiration. B.C. FERRIES

As the new Clydebuilt CalMac ferry is reported to have had ‘overwhelmingly positive trials, clearly demonstrating the advanced technology which MV Glen Sannox will bring to the CalMac fleet‘, troubled BC Ferries in Canada, seem to have bought cheap but not ‘properly built’ in a foreign yard.

In the Times Colonist yesterday:

The reliability of Coastal Class ­vessels hinges on B.C. Ferries addressing their inherent vibration issues, stemming from partially submerged ­propellers.

These issues, present since inception, necessitated the avoidance of ­propeller use to prevent damage and led to a ­challenging approach policy causing damage to the Duke Point dock.

The severity of vibration on every vessel poses safety risks, indicative of underlying structural deficiencies caused by cost-saving measures during construction.

To rectify this, Coastal Class vessels require the installation of sufficient plate steel as originally planned. Constructing a submersible barge exclusively for B.C. Ferries in Nanaimo, where job ­opportunities are scarce, ensures a steady workforce, enabling the use of the latest methods in construction.

Until the propellers are submerged for safe manoeuvring, the vessels will remain underutilized and unreliable, emphasizing the necessity for another shipyard on the south coast of British Columbia, with Nanaimo being the only viable option.

This approach ensures the ­production of above-average quality ferries ­capable of navigating worsening weather ­conditions due to climate change.

https://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/letters/letters-feb-24-a-crisis-in-port-hardy-clinic-wait-times-inaccurate-ferries-not-properly-built-8351959

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