Work has begun on the Lady Rose Marine Services expansion at Harbour Quay.
A barge with a crane was towed into Harbour Quay last week so some dredging could be done next to the Lady Rose Marine dock, where owner Mike Surrell is going to add a second vessel to his passenger freight service.
Surrell won a public bidding process to buy the former MV Tenaka car ferry for an undisclosed amount of money.
Surrell bought the property adjacent to his a few years ago with expansion in mind, and will build a second dock to accommodate the ferry once it is retrofitted.
The dredging activity drew crowds over the weekend, as people were curious to see what was going on at the quay.
“I would guesstimate there were 75 to 100 people here on Saturday,” said Surrell.
Dredging was due to be completed by mid-week, after the AV News went to press.
“In a week to two weeks we’ll drive some pilings,” Surrell said. Then utilities will be installed.
“Then we’re ready for the ship.”
He anticipates the ferry will arrive at the end of May. It is berthed at Deas dock in Richmond right now; Surrell estimates it will take 16 hours to bring the MV Tenaka around the south end of Vancouver Island and up the Alberni Inlet to Port Alberni.
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