C class ferry

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The C-Class ferries are a class of double-ended ferries operated by BC Ferries in the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia, and were all constructed during the 1970s and early 1980s. When the vessels were first built, they were the largest ships of their kind in the world.

The first 2 C-Class ferries were the Queen of Cowichan and the Queen of Coquitlam, constructed in 1976. The Queen of Oak Bay, and Queen of Surrey were built in 1981. There are some minor modifications to the design of these two ships compared to the earlier C-Class ships.

The C-Class ferries are 139.29 meters long, with a car capacity of 362, and a crew and passenger capacity of 1500 persons. The engines provide 11,860 HP, which provides a service speed of 22 knots.

The Queen of Alberni was also constructed in 1976. Although this ferry is considered to be a C-Class vessel, it is significantly different in layout. It was originally designed to carry only overheight (truck) traffic. This ferry has a capacity of 292 cars and 800 passengers and crew, and has a maximum service speed of 19 knots.

C-class ferries are double-ended; they have a separate bridge at each end, and therefore are not required to turn around during the sailing. These ferries generally run on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen, Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes. At one time these ferries operated on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route, but due to limitations placed on their speed when transiting Active Pass—after an accident they were required to operate in the more maneuverable docking mode rather than cruising mode—it is no longer feasible to run them on that route.

On June 30, 2005, the Queen of Oak Bay lost power while approaching the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. After giving ample warning, the captain steered the coasting ship into the nearby Sewell's Marina, where it overran more than a dozen boats before running aground. No one was injured, and the huge ferry sustained only minor scraping to a rudder and propellor blade.

	BC Ferries Ferry Classes
S Class | Super C Class | C Class | V Class | Burnaby Class | I Class | Powell River Class | Century Class | K Class | Q Class | Sidney Class | T Class | Other (not classified)