Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Almost show and shine time for BC Ferries


BC Ferries brings their latest acquisition North on March 28th, when the Northern Adventure makes its first port call in Prince Rupert. The vessel the newest ferry in the BC Ferries fleet will be here for an open house from 2 until 5:30, in which time local residents are invited to drop by for a tour of replacement for the Queen of the North.

The Queen sank off of Gil Island one year ago this March 22nd, resulting in the rescue of 99 and the presumed drowning of two passengers. The events leading up to that sinking are still under investigation, with a Transportation Safety Board report expected soon which hopefully will shed some light on what transpired on that ill fated night.

The marine accident also brought a summer of revised travel arrangements for travelers to the North Coast and Queen Charlotte Islands, resulting in lost dollars to the local economy and many problems for locals dependent on the ferry service in the northern waters.

March 28th will offer the Ferry Corporation to rebuild its image in the North, by showcasing the vessel and showing what it will have to offer to both tourists to and residents of the North coast. The vessel begins its official duties on March 31st.

The Daily News featured details of the pending visit on its front page of Tuesday’s paper.

LONG VOYAGE HOME ALMOST OVER FOR REPLACEMENT FERRY
Vessel that will take on Queen of North’s route in town this month
By Leanne Ritchie
The Daily News
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Pages one and three

The public will get the first view of B. C. Ferries new vessel, the MV Northern Adventure on Wed., March 28.

B. C. Ferries will hold an open house in Prince Rupert from 2 to 5:30 p. m. during which the public is encouraged to tour the vessel.

For at least its first two years in operation in the North the Northern Adventure will travel the waters of the Inside Passage.

“B. C. Ferries is proud to showcase the MV Northern Adventure and give the public an opportunity to see the outstanding travel experience that awaits them on the scenic North Coast this spring and summer,” said David Hahn, B. C. Ferries’ president and CEO.

“When it starts service on our Port Hardy and Prince Rupert-Queen Charlotte Islands routes, this vessel will bring enhanced service and an unparalleled travel experience to our local customers and those visiting northern B. C. from throughout the world.”

The open house comes just a week after the anniversary of the sinking of the Queen of the North along that same route.

The accident took place March 22, 2006 off Gil Island near Hartley Bay. Two people were missing and presumed dead, 99 were rescued.

The Northern Adventure will take over that route, with service tentatively scheduled to begin March 31, B. C. Ferries said. A $9 million refit is due to be completed Friday at Victoria Shipyards in Esquimalt.

B. C. Ferries paid $51 million for the Northern Adventure (plus $17 million in import duties and GST). The vessel was built in Greece in 2004 and formerly named the Sonia.

The Northern Adventure will move to the Queen Charlottes run once the Northern Expedition, expected to be in service by spring of 2009, replaces the aging Queen of Prince Rupert.

The new vessel will officially commence service on North Coast routes March 31, 2007, pending the completion of crew training and dock trials.

Purchased from overseas last year and transported to Victoria via the Panama Canal, the two-year old Northern Adventure has been completely renovated and modified for service on the North Coast.

The vessel has three spacious out decks so travelers can enjoy the scenery as well as a new outdoor component to the Lighthouse Café, which allows customers to relax in the open air during the summer season.

The Raven’s Lounge inside includes 480 seats and five onboard LCD TV’s all with satellite and DVD feeds. There is also a licensed cafeteria, called the Coastal Café along with a gift shop.

Accommodation includes 70 cabins with washrooms and showers as well as four luxury cabins with TV’s, DVD’s and a view from the bow of the ship.

The open house in Prince Rupert is part of a series of open houses including one in Vancouver on March 17 at Canada Place, one at the Skidegate Terminal on the Queen Charlotte Islands on March 27 from 2 p. m. to 5:30 p. m., in Bella Bella on March 29 from 2 p. m. to 5:30 p. m. and in Port Hardy on March 30.

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