One of BC Ferries’ largest vessels being taken out of service for upgrades

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – One of the two largest ferries transporting visitors and commuters to Vancouver Island on the busy Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay run has been removed from service for upgrades.

The Spirit of British Columbia is being converted to run on liquefied natural gas, which is cheaper and better for the environment than diesel.

Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries says the vessel, which was built in 1993, should be back in the water by next spring.

“We will be having a Coastal class vessel fill in in the meantime… The Spirit class vessels accommodate approximately 360 vehicles. The Coastal class accommodate approximately 310,” she tells us.

“We’ll be augmenting our Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay run with additional service throughout the period of time when the Spirit class is off the run,” adds Marshall.

The work is being done at a shipyard in Poland.

The Spirit of British Columbia is the first ship to be retro-fitted. The Spirit of Vancouver Island, built in 1994, is slated to undergo similar upgrades this time next year.

Both vessels service route between Metro Vancouver and Victoria; BC Ferries says it plans to use them for another 25 years.

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