COAST Talks: Island Class Electrification with BC Ferries 

September's COAST Talk will explore the Island Class Electrification Program with BC Ferries. The Island Class are battery-equipped ships designed for full electric operation. The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure becomes available. From the exterior details to the engines, the design of the new vessels reduces underwater radiated noise, lowers emissions and improves the customer experience on board.

The first two battery hybrid-electric Island Class ferries entered service in mid-2020. Four more Island Class ferries will join BC Ferries' fleet by 2022. Island Class ferries three and four arrived in BC this summer with ferries five and six arriving in the Fall and Winter respectively. 

You'll hear from:

• Captain Jamie Marshall, VP Shipbuilding & Innovation
• Ed Hooper, Executive Director, Shipbuilding
• Leslie James, Director, Environmental Sustainability
• Miles McKinnon, Engineering Manager, Electrical and Control Systems