BC Ferries’ third LNG vessel enters service early

BC Ferries’ third LNG-fueled vessel, the Salish Raven will start its service on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route early, replacing the 53-year old Queen of Nanaimo.

The company had to fast track the LNG-fueled vessel into service as the Quen of Nanaimo, which is set to retire from the fleet during the fall, experienced a mechanical problem last week.

Salish Raven will have its inaugural sailing on Thursday, August 3, BC Ferries said.

Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ vice president of engineering, said, “Engineers have been unable to determine the root cause of the problem with the Queen of Nanaimo as yet, so we are focusing our crew resources into getting the new ship, Salish Raven, into service sooner than we had originally planned.”

Salish Raven will be based at Tsawwassen terminal for the summer servicing the Southern Gulf Islands.

Salish Eagle, which entered service in June, will now move to Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island to sail in the Southern Gulf Islands, BC Ferries said.

Salish Orca entered service on the Comox – Powell River route in May.