First cable ferry in fleet performing well, BC Ferries says

Nearly a year into providingservice, BC Ferries says it's pleased with the performance of its first cable ferry.

The Baynes Sound Connector was installed on the Buckley Bay to Denman Island route last fall. It started taking cars and passengers in February.

"We are actually really, really happy with the performance of the vessel," said Mark Wilson, vice president of engineering for BC Ferries.

The first months of operation did come withsome hiccups. In May,the cable ferry was left dead in the water mid-run by a hydraulic failure. There was a secondbreakdown in July.

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Residentsexpressed concerns about the vessel's reliability before it went into operation, and there were questions about whether the cable ferrywould beable to handle ocean conditions and West Coast weather.

But Wilson said its reliability rate has been well within the average for the fleet.

"We've done over 6,500 sailings and things are working very well."

Routine maintenance

The cable ferry willbe out of service for the next three weeks, but the service interruption is only forroutine maintenance work related to the one-year warranty provided by shipbuilder Seaspan, Wilson said.

"That's not something that is unique to the Baynes Sound Connector. That is something we do with all of our new vessels," said Wilson.

All systems will be inspected to ensure they are holding up to daily use, he said.Divers will also conduct an inspection of the hull.

The MVQuinitsa, the conventional ferry that used to service the route, isfilling in while the Baynes Sound Connector undergoes the warrantywork, BC Ferries said. There will not be any interruption to regular ferry sailings.