Upon completion, the double-ended vessel will have
a length of 81 metres, a beam of 17 metres, a speed of 14 knots, and space for
390 passengers and up to 47 vehicles.
The ferry boasts a new
design that will help streamline crew operations, enhancing efficiency and
effectiveness by having similar technology and protocols across the BC Ferries
fleet.
All four vessels in the same series are scheduled to be in operation by
2027. They will be operated by BC Ferries alongside six
earlier vessels fitted with hybrid diesel-electric propulsion
systems.
The vessel will be
operated on BC Ferries' routes between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island and
between the Campbell River and Quadra Island in British Columbia.
New charging facilities will also be installed at the four stops to
enable the ferry to safely charge its batteries even during embarkation and
disembarkation.