For Immediate Release
21-045
September 7, 2021

BC Ferries' fifth Island Class ferry prepares for final leg of journey to B.C.

VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ newest hybrid electric ship transited the Panama Canal over the weekend and is now preparing for its trip home to British Columbia. Island 5, as it is temporarily named, departed Romania on July 31 under its own power. BC Ferries expects the ship to be in B.C. by late-September, depending on weather.

The Island Class are battery equipped ships designed for full electric operation. The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure becomes available. From the exterior details to the engines, the design of the new vessels reduces underwater radiated noise, lowers emissions and improves customer service.

To follow the ship’s journey and track its progress including course, position and speed, visit vesselfinder.com and search for Island 5. BC Ferries will take ownership of the new Island Class ferry upon final inspection at Point Hope Maritime in Victoria, B.C.

BC Ferries looks forward to welcoming the vessel into service next year. Together, Island 5 and Island 6 will allow for two-ship service on the Nanaimo Harbour – Gabriola Island route starting in 2022. BC Ferries looks forward to officially naming the vessels before they enter service and celebrating with the communities, when the time is right.

Photo attached
 
– 30 –
Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Communications
Victoria: (250) 978-1267

Customer Contact:
Victoria:    (250) 410-1465  
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)

Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency line at (250) 516-7211.


{media1}
Island 5 departing Romania bound for B.C. earlier this year.
Very weak Weak Medium Strong Very strong password.strength.unsafepwd Too short Use %d - %m characters with a mix of any 3 [upper case letters, lower case letters, numbers & symbols] 8 32 Password must be more than eight characters and contain a mix of any three of the following: upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Password must be less than 32 characters and contain a mix of any three of the following: upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Enter current password Enter valid email address Password not valid Select account type Enter first name Enter last name Confirm Email Not Valid Password must be more than eight characters and contain a mix of any three of the following: upper case letters, numbers and symbols. Passwords do not match Enter valid postal/zip code Loading... Please wait... Stores loaded View schedule from View sailing status from Discover our routes from to