MV Northern Adventure

MV ''Northern Adventure'' is a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry operated by BC Ferries. She sails two routes: the scenic Inside Passage route between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert and the Haida Gwaii crossing between Prince Rupert and Skidegate. The vessel was laid down by Atsalakis-Sidironaftiki shipyard on 11 September 2001 at their yard in Perama, Greece. The ship was launched on 19 October 2002 under the name ''Adamantios Korais''. However, construction was delayed and the vessel was not completed until 19 July 2004 under the name ''Sonia'', and later ''Sonia X''. The ferry was chartered by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for use on a route between Port of Spain, Trinidad and Scarborough, Tobago. In 2006, the ferry was acquired by BC Ferries and entered service under her current name ''Northern Adventure'' in 2007.

Description

''Northern Adventure'' is a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry. The vessel measures long overall and between perpendiculars with a beam of and a draught of . The ferry was assessed at , and with a displacement of .

The vessel is powered by two diesel engines creating . Initially the ferry had a maximum speed of , but this later declined to in BC Ferries' service. In early service the vessel was authorised to carry between 1,200 and 1,026 passengers and had capacity for 150 vehicles. In BC Ferries' service, the ship has capacity for 640 passengers and crew and 87 vehicles. In BC Ferries service, the vessel has various amenities including but not limited to a Raven Lounge, a kids play area, 70 cabins, 4 staterooms and three decks accessible to passengers.

Construction and career

Construction on the ship began in Greece on 11 September 2001 by Atsalakis-Sidironaftiki shipyard at their yard in Perama. The vessel was launched on 19 October 2002 with the name of ''Adamantios Korais''. Due to unspecified delays during construction of the hull, work was delayed, and construction was not completed until 19 July 2004 and entered service as ''Sonia''. During the construction period, one of the engines suffered a catastrophic failure. The ship was first chartered by the Port Authority of Trinidad and Tobago to run the route between Port of Spain, Trinidad, and Scarborough, Tobago beginning in December 2004. ''Sonia'' was brought in to replace the ageing ferry ''Beauport'' and to support the fleet's other ferry ''Panorama''. Ship operations were managed by International Shipping Partners. However, before beginning service, the Port Authority discovered 14 defects aboard the ship that required rectification before ''Sonia'' could sail. The ship suffered further breakdowns and had an engine explode. In 2006, the ship was renamed ''Sonia X''. The ferry then operated out of Barcelona, Spain on a run to Ibiza. The ferry was purchased by BC Ferries in September 2006 in a deal worth €35.7 million, or $50.6 million CAD. ''Sonia'' was acquired to replace the ferry which sank after running aground in March 2006.

BC Ferries service

The ship was painted in BC Ferries livery and sailed from Greece to Victoria, British Columbia via the Panama Canal. The vessel arrived at the Victoria shipyards on 18 December 2006, where she underwent an $18-million refit and interior upgrade that finished in March 2007. Part of the refit was to retrofit the ferry's stern loading ramp to match the dockside facilities at BC Ferries terminals.

Upon entering service ''Northern Adventure'' in April 2007 initially replaced ''Queen of the North'' on the Inside Passage route. However, when entered service in early 2009, was decommissioned and ''Northern Adventure'' was reassigned to replace ''Queen of Prince Rupert'' and her Haida Gwaii duties. ''Northern Adventure'' sails two routes: the scenic Inside Passage route between Port Hardy and Prince Rupert and the Haida Gwaii crossing between Prince Rupert and Skidegate.

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Northern Adventure, MV
Ships of BC Ferries
Ferries of Trinidad and Tobago
2004 ships
Ships built in Greece