Reviews & Ratings for the Coastal-Celebration

On March 18, 2024, B.C. Ferries announced a significant step in the maintenance of its Coastal class fleet, opting to fund the installation of rotors from its contingency fund rather than pursuing a costly insurance claim for engine issues affecting its three Coastal class vessels. The estimated expenditure for this operation stands at approximately $8.5 million, which encompasses costs linked to design, transport, rotor acquisition, and the necessary replacement work. Each of the six rotors is projected to cost around $1.4 million. The maintenance saga began on August 17, 2023, when the 'Coastal Renaissance' was taken out of service and moved to Departure Bay in Nanaimo, where its motor was subsequently forwarded to the United States for critical inspection and repair. Upon discovering problems with the ferry's rotor, B.C. Ferries launched an investigation on the other two Coastal ferries, only to uncover similar issues. All three vessels exhibited motor vibrations and excessive noise while docked, prompting the operational alteration of turning off the motors and reactivating them only for departures. This practice inadvertently intensified rotor wear due to an increase in engine startups, leading to the urgent need for rotor replacements. In a proactive move to enhance performance and reliability, B.C. Ferries has decided to integrate variable-speed motors in all three Coastal class vessels to prevent any future engine-related complications. Currently, the 'Coastal Celebration' is undergoing repair and refit at the Victoria Shipyard in the Esquimalt Graving Dock, where it arrived on March 6, with work expected to continue until April. Following this, the 'Coastal Inspiration' will also enter the yard for similar upgrades. To ensure uninterrupted service during the busy spring break period from March 14 to April 2, which also coincides with Easter weekend (March 28 to April 2), B.C. Ferries is adding an additional 192 sailings. Notably, 172 of these extra trips will facilitate travel between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, providing vital connectivity for holiday travelers.

The Coastal Celebration ferry encountered significant disruptions on January 15, 2024, stemming from an issue with its propulsion system. This technical setback resulted in the vessel falling behind schedule, delaying its 5:45 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen. As a consequence, BC Ferries had to cancel two round trips on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen route, affecting the 5:15 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. sailings from Duke Point, as well as the 7:45 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. departures from Tsawwassen. In response to the cancellations, BC Ferries proactively reached out to passengers with reservations, offering them alternatives to minimize their travel disruptions.

Starting October 29, 2023, the 'Coastal Celebration' ferry, which operates between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, will be navigating a new course due to necessary mechanical upgrades. The vessel will bypass Active and instead route through East Point on Saturna Island, leading to a 15-minute extension in travel time. This rerouting is linked to the need for replacing the drive motor rotors across all three Coastal Class vessels, following similar issues experienced with the fleet. BC Ferries has announced plans to systematically replace the drive motors due to wear and tear. The 'Coastal Celebration' is set to receive her new drive motor in March 2024, while her counterpart, the 'Coastal Inspiration,' is scheduled for upgrades in April. Passengers are advised to plan accordingly as the company undertakes these essential improvements to enhance service reliability.