New B.C. ferry under repair again

BC Ferries' newest vessel, the Coastal Renaissance, was out of commission once again on Wednesday.

The fleet's flagship ferry, emblazoned withgiantpromotional images for the 2010 Winter Olympics on the hull, was pulled from service on Wednesday to have a propeller seal serviced.

It was also pulled from service last Tuesday to repair a broken propeller.

Spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the repairs were covered by the German-built vessel's warranty and it was expected to back in service again sometime Thursday afternoon.

The Coastal Renaissance is the first of three new Coastal Class vessels built in Germany ata total cost of $524 million for all three.

The new ferry has been in service since mid-April. Its sister ship, the Coastal Inspiration, entered service on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route in June.

The thirdship, the Coastal Celebration, is expected to enter service on theTsawwassen-Swartz Bay route by the end of the year.

While travelling from the shipyard inGermany, it recently stopped in Londonto promote the upcoming 2010 WinterGamesin Vancouver, beforearriving in B.C.

Each is 160 metres long, and holds 370 cars and 1,650 passengers.