For Immediate Release
21-047
September 27, 2021

BC FERRIES’ FIFTH ISLAND CLASS FERRY ARRIVES IN VICTORIA TODAY

VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ fifth battery-hybrid Island Class ferry arrives in Victoria, British Columbia today. Island 5, as it is temporarily named, left Damen Shipyards in Galati, Romania on July 31. The vessel sailed under its own power across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific Coast of North America to Victoria. The 59 day journey will be complete when Island 5 arrives at Point Hope Maritime this afternoon.

Approximately one-third of the voyage was completed by using battery power with the main engines stopped; proof that the Island Class ferries will be able to operate as fully electric vessels once BC Ferries’ terminals have plug-in recharging capabilities. The batteries were charged during the voyage by a diesel generator.

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

The public will be able to see Island 5 at Ogden Point in Victoria, B.C. this morning. It will sail to Point Hope Maritime in the afternoon and will be visible from a number of downtown Victoria locations including Dallas Road, Fisherman’s Wharf, the Songhees Walkway, Wharf Street, and the Johnson Street Bridge. To follow the ship’s journey and track its progress including course, position and speed, visit vesselfinder.com and search for Island 5. 

Upon arrival at Point Hope Maritime, final inspections will take place and BC Ferries will take ownership of the vessel. BC Ferries looks forward to welcoming this new Island Class ferry into service next year. The sixth and final Island Class ferry in the series, temporarily named Island 6, will soon make the same trip from the shipyard to Victoria. The arrival of these new vessels will allow the Nanaimo Harbour - Gabriola Island route to be serviced by two Island Class vessels starting in 2022.