BC Ferries (BCF) Queen of Surrey is scheduled to return to Langdale terminal on March 21 but it won’t go back into active service until April 1.
Southern Sunshine Coast Ferry Advisory Committee chair Diana Mumford told Coast Reporter she was advised that the ship will remain docked after its arrival and in the week that follows, the final portion of the ship's refit work will take place. That will include sea trials and practice drills.
On Saturday April 1, the ship is slated to recommence service on Route 3, starting with the 3:15 p.m. sailing out of Langdale. That same day the Queen of Coquitlam, which has been covering Route 3 in the Surrey’s absence, is booked to sail from Langdale at 4 p.m. for Departure Bay. Starting April 6, that ship will commence service out of Departure Bay, bound for Horseshoe Bay, sailing at 7:25 a.m.
What happens in a refit?
According to BCF's executive director of public affairs, Deborah Marshall, the refit work being carried out is designed to meet or exceed Transport Canada’s regulations for vessel maintenance.
During this refit, some of the major projects being conducted include inspection of all safety, emergency and critical equipment, regular engine and generator overhauls, along with seawater and freshwater pump inspections and overhauls. Sea water system piping repairs or replacements will be carried out, along with inspections of tanks and void areas. Regulatory surveys on the boilers are also being conducted. There will be deep cleaning of the interior of vessel as well as painting the of ship where required.
Next local engagement session
"With regards to community engagement, we are planning to schedule a session on the Southern Sunshine Coast in June," Marshall wrote in a March 20 email to Coast Reporter. She stated details on the date, time or location remain to be determined.
