MV Spirit of British Columbia is an S-class ferry, part of the BC Ferries fleet active along the British Columbia coast. It and Spirit of Vancouver Island represent the two largest ships in the fleet. The ship was completed in 1993 and serves the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route. In 2018, it underwent a mid-life refit that included conversion to a dual-fuel system that allows it to use either marine diesel oil or liquefied natural gas.

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Spirit of British Columbia
History
Canada
Name	Spirit of British Columbia
Namesake	British Columbia
Owner	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Operator	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Port of registry	Victoria, British Columbia
Route	Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay
Builder	Integrated Ferry, Esquimalt
Yard number	559
Launched	17 April 1992
Completed	February 1993
In service	1993
Refit	2018
Homeport	Tsawwassen
Identification	IMO number: 9015668 MMSI number: 316001268 Official number: 815277 Call sign: VOSM
Status	Active
General characteristics
Class and type	S-class ferry
Tonnage	18,747 GT
Displacement	11,642 t (11,458 long tons; 12,833 short tons)
Length	167.5 m (549 ft 6 in) oa 156.0 m (511 ft 10 in) pp
Beam	32.9 m (107 ft 11 in)
Decks	7
Deck clearance	4.42 m (14 ft 6 in) for lower car decks
Installed power	4 × Wärtsilä 8L34DF engines 21,394 hp (15,954 kW)
Propulsion	2 controllable pitch propellers and 2 bow thrusters
Speed	19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph)
Capacity	2,100 passengers & crew 358 cars

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Spirit of British Columbia is an S-class ferry that measures 167.5 m (549 ft 6 in) long overall and 156.0 m (511 ft 10 in) between perpendiculars with a beam of 32.9 m (107 ft 11 in). The vessel has a 18,747 gross tonnage (GT), 2,925 tons deadweight (DWT) and a displacement of 11,642 tonnes (11,458 long tons; 12,833 short tons).^[1][2] The gross tonnage later increased to 21,958 as of 2018.^[3]

The ferry was initially powered by four MAN 6L40/54^[4] diesel engines driving two shafts creating 21,394 horsepower (15,954 kW).^[1][2] Spirit of British Columbia has a maximum speed of 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph). In 2018, the ferry began a mid-life refit that involved changing the propulsion system to a dual-fuel system comprising four Wärtsilä 34DF dual-fuel engines which allows the ship to use either marine diesel oil or liquefied natural gas to power the ship.^[5] Further changes include navigation and propulsion equipment, steering and evacuation systems, lighting and air conditioning. Passenger areas were upgraded including the lounges, bathrooms and retail areas.^[6][7]

The ferry has capacity for 2,100 passengers and crew and 358 automobiles. The ferry is equipped with lounges and cafes.^[2]

Spirit of British Columbia was constructed in two parts in British Columbia. The ferry's forepart was built by Allied Shipbuilders of North Vancouver with the yard number 254. The rest of the ship was constructed by Integrated Ferry of Esquimalt, British Columbia with the yard number 559. The two sections were joined and the vessel was launched on 17 April 1992 and completed in February 1993.^[1] Owned and operated by British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. along the British Columbia Coast, Spirit of British Columbia was assigned to the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route.^[2]

From 2005 to 2006, the S-class ferries underwent major refits.^[8]

In late 2017, Spirit of British Columbia departed for Poland to undergo its mid-life refit. The refit included conversion to dual-fuel propulsion. The $140 million refit was completed by Remontowa Ship Repair Yard in Gdańsk. The ferry returned to service in June 2018.^[7][9]