BC Ferries has agreed a deal with Furuno for the supply of an integrated navigation and communications system for four new hybrid-electric ferries, with each vessel to feature fully redundant bridge stations at both ends.
The vessels are currently under construction at China Merchants Shipbuilding Industry Group for service in British Columbia, Canada.
Each ferry will be equipped with approximately 20 multifunction workstations delivering shared Radar, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS), conning, and alert management across both bridges.
A six-Radar system consisting of two S-Band and four X-Band Radars will provide all-weather detection and tracking.
“These systems are designed to support our crews with strong situational awareness and built-in redundancy, which is critical for operating safely and reliably in a complex coastal environment,” said Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal for BC Ferries.
“When the first vessel enters service in 2029, our bridge crews will be well supported with the tools they need to operate these new vessels.”
Navigation sensors for the new vessels include dual satellite compasses, speed logs, and echo sounders, with redundancy provided by GPS and Automatic Identification System (AIS) units. Communications will be centred on dual Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) consoles and four VHF radios.
Additional equipment includes dual Voyage Data Recorders (VDRs), Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System (BNWAS) watchkeeping, and remote monitoring and cyber protection systems.
The first of the four vessels is expected to start service in spring 2029, with the full fleet in operation by 2031. Designed for future full-electric operation, the ships will deliver a 52% increase in passenger capacity and a 24% increase in vehicle capacity compared to the vessels they are replacing.
“This project represents a significant investment by BC Ferries in Furuno next-generation bridge equipment systems,” said Bill Haynes, Senior Deep-Sea Product and Service Manager for Furuno.
