BC Ferries new vessel, the Northern Sea Wolf, is on its way to British Columbia.
The ferry, which was recently acquired for the new route from Port Hardy to Bella Coola and was named through a community engagement process, departed from the port of Piraeus in Athens, Greece, on Nov. 3 for the 10,097 nautical mile journey to its new home.
According to a BC Ferries press release, the Transatlantic voyage will take approximately 35 days, depending on weather, fuel stops and canal transit. Refuelling stops include the Canary Islands, Antigua, Panama and after transiting the Panama Canal, Manzanillo, Mexico. From Manzanillo, the ship will continue to sail up the west coast of North America to British Columbia.
“We are excited about the new ship joining our fleet, and look forward to its arrival in B.C. waters,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries Vice President of Strategy & Community Engagement, via press release. “We have undertaken some preliminary work including dry docking and maintenance on the Northern Sea Wolf in Greece to ensure a safe and reliable voyage to British Columbia. We will complete the main mid-life upgrade, including renewal of passenger and crew areas, here in B.C. to ensure the new ship is ready in all respects for summer service in 2018.”
BC Ferries customers can track the ship’s progress virtually, including course, position and speed at vesselfinder.com.
BC Ferries acquired the Northern Sea Wolf from Greece to help support BC’s commitment to the new route last year. The ferry was built in 2000 and will accommodate a minimum of 35 vehicles and 150 passengers and crew. The vessel’s mid-life upgrade is planned to take place at a local shipyard in B.C., with a contract for this work to be awarded later this fall. The vessel will undergo various upgrades to shipboard systems, crew living and working spaces and a complete passenger accommodation and food services modernization.
Sailings will depart from Port Hardy and Bella Coola five days per week during peak season. Fares for this route will be consistent with the fares on the existing indirect service. Reservations for summer 2018 on this route and other northern routes are now open for booking. As these are popular routes, reservations are recommended well in advance of your planned travel. For the schedule and additional information, please visit bcferries.com/about/projects.