One of the latest new Island-class vessels in B.C. Ferries’ fleet is expected to undergo a series of trials today around Patricia Bay and Boundary Pass.
The vessel Nagalis, which is being prepared for service next year on the Campbell River to Quadra Island route, is being put through its paces with speed, anchor and underwater radiated noise trials.
B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said the vessel was expected to tie up at Swartz Bay Monday evening before another day of trials today. The ship will then return to Point Hope shipyard.
The Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a are the third and fourth Island-class vessels B.C. Ferries has taken delivery of from shipyards in Romania. They can carry up to 47 vehicles and up to 400 passengers and crew.
They will run initially on diesel fuel, but have been designed to run on electric power once charging infrastructure is built at terminals.
The first two Island-class vessels are now in service. The Island Aurora runs on the Port McNeill-Alert Bay-Sointula route and the Island Discovery runs between Powell River and Texada Island.
A fifth Island-class ferry is en route to Victoria and the sixth is undergoing sea trials near Romania.
