Coastal-class ferry

Coastal-class ferries, also known as the "Super-C class" are three ferries owned and operated by BC Ferries of British Columbia, Canada and were built at the Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany. They are the second-largest ships in the BC Ferries fleet, surpassed only by the two larger, single-ended Spirit-class ferries. At the time of their building, the three ships were the largest double-ended ferries in the world, however the record has since been surpassed.

Coastal Celebration arrives at Departure Bay
Class overview
Builders	Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, Germany
Operators	BC Ferries
Preceded by	Victoria class Cowichan class
Built	2007–2008
In service	2008–present
Completed	3
Active	3
General characteristics
Type	Double-ended, roll-on/roll-off ferry
Tonnage	2,366 DWT 21,777 GT
Displacement	10,034 t (9,876 long tons)
Length	160.0 m (524 ft 11 in) oa 156.0 m (511 ft 10 in) pp
Beam	28.2 m (92 ft 6 in)
Draught	5.6 m (18 ft 4 in) max
Decks	7
Installed power	21,444 hp (15,991 kW)
Propulsion	4 × MaK 8M32C diesel engines
Speed	23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph)
Capacity	1,604 passengers and crew 310 vehicles

The three ferries (Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration, and Coastal Celebration) were ordered by BC Ferries to replace the aging V-class ferries. They operate on two of the busiest routes connecting the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island—Tsawwassen↔Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen↔Duke Point. In the past, they have also served the Horseshoe Bay↔Departure Bay route, but have since been reassigned.^[1]

Description

The Coastal class of ferries is composed of three ships, Coastal Renaissance, Coastal Inspiration and Coastal Celebration. At launch they were the largest double-ended ferries in the world.^[2] The three ships are 160.0 metres (524 ft 11 in) long overall and 154.0 metres (505 ft 3 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 28.2 metres (92 ft 6 in).^[3][4][5] They have a maximum draught of 5.6 metres (18 ft 4 in).^[6] All three vessels have the same maximum displacement of 10,034 tonnes (9,876 long tons),^[7][8][9] but have varying tonnages; Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Celebration have a gross tonnage (GT) of 21,777^[3][5] and Coastal Inspiration, a GT of 21,980.^[4] Coastal Renaissance has a deadweight tonnage (DWT) of 2,366,^[3] Coastal Inspiration, a DWT of 1,770^[4] and Coastal Celebration, a DWT of 2,350.^[5]

The ships are powered by four 8-cylinder MaK 8M32C diesel engines driving two 11 MW (15,000 hp) electric motors turning two controllable pitch propellers.^[6][10] The engines are split into two main compartments and each compartment can run independently.^[10] The engines are rated at 21,444 horsepower (15,991 kW). The ferries have a maximum speed of 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) and a cruising speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).^{[7][8][9][10]} The vessel has seven decks, with the passenger deck on Deck 6, above the two bridges on Deck 5, with additional passenger spaces between the two bridges on Deck 5.^[10] The class has a capacity of 1,604 passengers and crew and 2,001 metres (6,565 ft) lane space for 310 full-sized family vehicles.^{[7][8][9][10]} Initial reports stated the vessels could carry 1,650 passengers and crew and 370 cars.^[2] Amenities aboard each ferry include a Coastal Cafe, a Coast Cafe Express, Sitka Coffee Place, lounge, gift shop, and children's and pet areas.^[7][8][9]

Ships in class

Coastal class[3][4][5]
Name	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Completed	Status
Coastal Renaissance	Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft, Flensburg, Germany	January 2, 2007	April 19, 2007	October 27, 2007	In service
Coastal Inspiration		April 23, 2007	August 31, 2007	February 8, 2008	In service
Coastal Celebration		September 3, 2007	December 14, 2007	May 9, 2008	In service

Acquisition and service

Coastal Renaissance entering Departure Bay on December 13, 2007

The vessels were ordered from Flensburger Schiffbau-Gesellschaft shipyard in Flensburg, Germany in September 2004 for €206.4 million. According to BC Ferries at this time, this was 40 percent lower than the lowest Canadian shipyard's bid.^[11] This was a controversial decision, which led to Canadian shipbuilders protesting the decision.^[12] The first new Coastal-class vessel, Coastal Renaissance, departed for British Columbia on October 27, 2007, and arrived on December 13, 2007. She entered service on the Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay run on March 8, 2008.^[2] She was followed by Coastal Inspiration, which left Germany on February 9 and arrived March 25, and Coastal Celebration, which departed on May 9 and arrived on June 18. The vessels' names were based on submissions received during a "naming contest" in late 2005.^[13][14]

Coastal Inspiration in the Strait of Georgia on June 25, 2008

Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Inspiration operate on the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route. Coastal Celebration serves the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route.^[15] Coastal Renaissance at one time operated from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, but has been reassigned.^[1]

On December 20, 2011, Coastal Inspiration collided with the terminal at Duke Point while travelling at 5 knots (9.3 km/h; 5.8 mph), damaging the lower vehicle ramp at the terminal and causing damage to the vessel.^[16] 16 were injured in the collision and the bow door, the starboard side shell, and the rubbing plate on the ship were damaged.^[17] Coastal Inspiration was then redirected to the Departure Bay terminal with the assistance of a tugboat to disembark passengers and vehicles.^[16] The ship was out of service for 122 days. The cause of the crash was later found to be crew error.^[17]

In August 2023, Coastal Renaissance suffered an issue with her drive motor, and the vessel was removed from service for extensive repairs.^[18] The vessel's return to service was delayed at least twice.^[19] Repairs are estimated to have cost approximately $3 million.^[20] She returned to service on March 4, 2024, after being out of service for just under seven months.^[21]