New ferry gets a makeover

B.C. Ferries is in the process of evaluating bids to upgrade its newest vessel — the Northern Sea Wolf, which is now in Greece.

The ferry will sail out of Greece late this month for what is expected to be a 36-day trip, subject to weather, across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal, and then up the West Coast to its new home in B.C.

A B.C. Ferries captain will be on board to oversee the sailing, which is being carried out under contract with International Maritime Services of Australia, Deborah Marshall, Ferries spokeswoman, said in a statement.

B.C. Ferries bought the 17-year-old vessel for $12.6 million. It will be revamped to provide direct service between Port Hardy and Bella Coola that is being restored next year. Tourism advocates slammed the province’s decision four years ago to scrap the direct service because it was losing $7 million annually, saying that the death of the service cost them millions of dollars in revenues.

The contract for the 240-foot-long ferry should be awarded in about a month, Marshall said.

No details, such as the number of responses to the request for proposals or where they are from, are being released.

A wide range of upgrades are planned. Work will be “quite extensive to include stern and ramp modifications to the vessel and some terminal upgrades,” Marshall said. Improvements will also be carried out on passenger and crew accommodation, the wheelhouse and navigation system, mechanical and electrical equipment, and lifesaving and safety systems, she said.

This work is expected to start in early November and finish in late spring 2018.

Preliminary estimates are that about 3,500 passengers and 1,200 vehicles will be on the ferry per year, Marshall said. Local and international tourists are expected to ride it.

Fares are based on the rates for the Discovery Coast Connector, which is delivering service to the small mid-coast communities. The price for a one-way trip with a standard vehicle and driver is $602. An adult passenger will be charged $199.

B.C. Ferries will market this route by working with regional and provincial tourism partners, targeting Canadian, U.S. and other international markets. Packages will be sold through B.C. Ferries Vacations, which works with international operators, Marshall said.

As far as the route’s anticipated financial performance, she said, B.C. Ferries is working with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure on amending the Coastal Ferry Service Contract regarding service fees for the route.

“The new route is being implemented at request from local communities and anticipated demand from [the] tourism sector.”