S-class ferry
{{Short description|BC Ferries RORO ferry class}}
{{Redirect|Super ferries|the Philippine ferry company|SuperFerry|the Hawaiian ferry company|Hawaii Superferry}}
| {{Infobox ship begin
| sclass = 2 }} {{Infobox ship image | Ship image = SpiritOfBritishColumbia.jpg | Ship image size = 300px | Ship caption = Spirit of British Columbia }} {{Infobox ship class overview |Builders= |Operators=BC Ferries |Class before= *Victoria class |Class after= |Subclasses= |Built range=1992–1994 |In service range=1993–present |Total ships building= |Total ships planned=2 |Total ships completed=2 |Total ships cancelled= |Total ships active=2 |Total ships laid up= |Total ships lost= |Total ships retired= |Total ships preserved= }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Hide header = | Header caption = as built | Ship type = Ferry | Ship tonnage = * {{GT|18747}}
| Ship displacement ={{convert|11,681|t|LT|abbr=on|lk=on}} | Ship length = {{convert|167.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|27.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship height = | Ship draught = {{convert|5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship depth = {{convert|8|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship decks = | Ship deck clearance = | Ship ramps = | Ship power = {{convert|21,394|hp|kW|abbr=on|lk=on}} | Ship propulsion = 4 × MAN-B&W 6L 40/54 diesel engines | Ship speed = {{convert|19.5|kn|lk=in}} | Ship capacity = * 2,100 passengers and crew
| Ship crew = | Ship notes = }} |
S-class ferries (also known as the Spirit class or Super ferries) are roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries operated by BC Ferries in British Columbia, Canada. They are the largest ferries in the BC Ferries fleet. The class comprises two ships, {{MV|Spirit of British Columbia||2}} and {{MV|Spirit of Vancouver Island||2}}, which were completed in 1993 and 1994 respectively. They serve the ferry route between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. In 2017, the class underwent conversion to a dual-fuel propulsion system that would allow them to use either marine diesel fuel or liquefied natural gas.
Design and description
The S-class roll on/roll off ferries are the largest vessels in the BC Ferries fleet.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ferries-upgrades-spirit-class-vessels-to-operate-on-natural-gas-1.4280211 |title=BC Ferries upgrades Spirit Class vessels to operate on natural gas |work=CBC News |last=Migdal |first=Alex |date=7 September 2017}} They are {{convert|167.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} long overall and {{convert|156.0|m|ftin|abbr=on}} between perpendiculars with a beam of {{convert|32.9|m|ftin|abbr=on}}.{{csr|register=MSI|id=9030682|shipname=Spirit of Vancouver Island|accessdate=2 February 2019}} The vessels have a displacement of {{convert|11,681|t|LT|lk=on}},{{cite web |url=https://www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/fleet/profile-spirit_of_vancouver_island.html |title=Spirit of Vancouver Island |publisher=British Columbia Ferry Services |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203000529/https://www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/fleet/profile-spirit_of_vancouver_island.html |archive-date=3 February 2019 |access-date=2 February 2019}} an initial {{GT|18747|disp=long}} and {{DWT|2925|disp=long}}. The gross tonnage later increased to 21,935 for Spirit of Vancouver and 21,958 for Spirit of British Columbia as of 2018.{{csr|register=E|id=9030682|shipname=Spirit of Vancouver Island|accessdate=2 February 2019}}{{csr|register=E|id=9015668|shipname=Spirit of British Columbia|accessdate=9 February 2019}}
The vessels were initially powered by four MAN 6L40/54{{cite web |url=http://www.tsb.gc.ca/eng/rapports-reports/marine/2000/m00w0220/m00w0220.pdf |title=Marine Investigation Report M00W0220: Collision Between Passenger/Vehicle Ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island and Pleasure Craft Star Ruby Colburne Passage, British Columbia 14 September 2000 |publisher=Transportation Safety Board of Canada |access-date=7 June 2017}} diesel engines driving two shafts creating {{convert|21,394|hp|kW|lk=in}}. The ferries have a maximum speed of {{convert|19.5|kn|lk=in}}. In 2018, the ferries began a mid-life refit that involved changing the propulsion system to a dual-fuel system comprising four Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines which allow the ships to use either marine diesel oil or liquefied natural gas to power the ship.{{cite web |url=http://www.lngworldnews.com/wartsila-tech-ordered-for-bc-ferries-vessels-lng-conversion/ |title=Wartsila tech ordered for BC Ferries vessels LNG conversion |website=LNG World News |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203003209/https://www.lngworldnews.com/wartsila-tech-ordered-for-bc-ferries-vessels-lng-conversion/ |archive-date=3 February 2019 |access-date=2 February 2019}} Further changes include navigation and propulsion equipment, steering and evacuation systems, lighting and air conditioning. Passenger areas were upgraded including the lounges, bathrooms and retail areas.{{cite web |url=https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/b-c-built-spirit-ferry-going-to-poland-for-refit-dual-fuel-conversion-1.22489375 |title=B.C.-built Spirit ferry going to Poland for refit, dual-fuel conversion |work=Victoria Times Colonist |last=Wilson |first=Carla |date=7 September 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203002712/https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/b-c-built-spirit-ferry-going-to-poland-for-refit-dual-fuel-conversion-1.22489375 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |access-date=2 February 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-spirit-of-british-columbia-upgrade-2018 |title=BC Ferries' Spirit of British Columbia vessel returns to service after upgrade in Poland |website=dailyhive.com |last=Chan |first=Kenneth |date=5 June 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203002511/https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/bc-ferries-spirit-of-british-columbia-upgrade-2018 |archive-date=3 February 2019 |access-date=2 February 2019}}
The ferries have capacity for 2,100 passengers and crew and 358 automobiles. The ferries are equipped with lounges and cafes.
Ships in class
| class="wikitable"
|+S class{{csr|register=MSI|id=9015668|shipname=Spirit of British Columbia|accessdate=9 February 2019}}{{Cite web|title=Spirit of Vancouver Island {{!}} BC Ferries - British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.|url=https://www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/fleet/profile-spirit_of_vancouver_island.html|access-date=2020-08-11|website=www.bcferries.com}} ! Name ! Launched ! Completed ! Route ! Status ! Notes | ||
| {{ship|MV|Spirit of British Columbia | 2}}
| April 17, 1992 | February 1993 | 1 - Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay | In service
| |
| {{ship|MV|Spirit of Vancouver Island | 2}}
| 1994 | February 1994 | 1 - Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen | In service
| |
History
The two ferries, Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island, were constructed in two pieces. The ferries' foreparts were built by Allied Shipbuilders of North Vancouver, British Columbia. The rest of the ships were constructed by Integrated Ferry of Esquimalt, British Columbia. The two sections were joined and Spirit of British Columbia was completed in February 1993, with Spirit of Vancouver Island completed in February 1994. Spirit of British Columbia was assigned to the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route and Spirit of Vancouver Island to the inverse Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen route.{{cite web |url=https://www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/fleet/profile-spirit_of_british_columbia.html |title=Spirit of British Columbia |publisher=British Columbia Ferry Services |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209165831/https://www.bcferries.com/onboard-experiences/fleet/profile-spirit_of_british_columbia.html |archive-date=9 February 2019 |access-date=9 February 2019}}
On September 14, 2000, Spirit of Vancouver Island collided with the {{convert|9.72|m|ft|adj=on}} Star Ruby while attempting to overtake the vessel in a narrow channel. The accident report found that pleasure craft had ignored all warnings of the impending collision. Two passengers aboard Star Ruby later died as a result of their injuries sustained by the collision. From 2005 to 2006, the S-class ferries underwent major refits.{{cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/ferry-fire-disrupts-tsawwassen-swartz-bay-trips-1.798690 |title=Ferry fire disrupts Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay trips |work=CBC News |date=10 October 2009 |access-date=2 February 2019}}
In 2017, it was announced that the two S-class ferries would undergo a $140 million conversion to a dual-fuel system to allow the vessels to use liquefied natural gas as fuel in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Further modifications during the conversion included the replacement of navigation and propulsion systems and a general overhaul. Passenger areas were modified as well. Spirit of British Columbia was the first to undergo the conversion at the Remontowa Ship Repair Yard in Gdańsk, Poland, between 2017 and 2018. Spirit of Vancouver Island{{'}}s retrofit began in September 2018 and the vessel returned to service in April 2019. The conversion of Spirit of British Columbia earned BC Ferries the Shippax Retrofit Award, which identifies innovation in the ferry industry.{{cite web |url=https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/spirit-of-vancouver-island-ferry-returns-from-poland-after-refit-with-lng |title=Spirit of Vancouver Island ferry returns from Poland after refit with LNG |work=Vancouver Sun |last=Wilson |first=Carla |date=3 April 2019 |access-date=21 September 2019}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Start box}}
{{Succession box
| before = {{sclass2|V|ferry|4}}
| title = BC Ferries Mainland-Island flagship
| years = 1993–1999
| after = PacifiCat Series
}}
{{Succession box
| before = PacifiCat Series
| title = BC Ferries Mainland-Island flagship
| years = 2000–present
| after = {{sclass2|Coastal|ferry|4}}
}}
{{End box}}
{{S class ferry|state=expanded}}
{{BC Ferry Classes}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:S Class Ferry}}