MV Nicola (1960)

MV Nicola is an N class ferry, owned, but not operated by BC Ferries. It is also known as Spirit of Lax Kw' Alaams, a British Columbia First Nations name.[1] Spirit of Lax Kw' Alaams currently runs between Prince Rupert and Port Simpson, (also known as Lax Kw'alaams) a British Columbia First Nations community on British Columbia's North Coast. Overnight the vessel is kept at the Smit tugboat dock in Prince Rupert Harbour.

History
Canada
Name:	Nicola
Namesake:	Chief Nicola
Owner:	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Operator:	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Builder:	Vancouver, British Columbia
Completed:	1960
Status:	operation transferred to Lax Kw'alaams
Canada
Name:	Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams
Namesake:	Lax Kw'alaams, British Columbia
Owner:	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Operator:	Lax Kw'alaams First Nations community[1]
Route:	Prince Rupert to Lax Kw'alaams
Identification:	IMO number: 5287744 MMSI number: 316012834 Callsign: VCNN
Status:	ship in active service
General characteristics
Class and type:	N-class RORO ferry
Tonnage:	256.34
Length:	33.8 m (110.9 ft)
Installed power:	680 hp (510 kW)
Speed:	10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Capacity:	133 passengers 16 cars

In December 2009 Sahar Nassimdoost reported that a new dock was under construction in Prince Rupert for use by Spirit of Lax Kw' Alaams.[2] The BC government report on the project mentions that the new Prince Rupert dock will be near Aero Point and cost CA$2,976,300.00 with an expected completion time of June 2010.[3]

Statistics

• Built: Vancouver BC
• Launched: 1960
• Vehicle capacity: 16
• Passenger Capacity: 133
• Length: 33.8 metres
• Gross Tons: 255
• Service Speed: 10 knots
• Horsepower: 680

Sources:[4][5]

Sister ships

• MV Nimpkish
• MV Albert J Savoie

Nicola is the sister ship of MV Nimpkish, so they are tied as the smallest ships owned by BC Ferries (BCFS). However, Nimpkish is both owned and operated by BCFS. A second sister ship, MV Albert J Savoie, was sold from BC Ferries to Rainy day Logging during the summer of 2002.[6]

References

1. "First Nation Community of Lax Kw'alaams - official web site". Retrieved 2010-01-26.
2. Nassimdoost, Sahar (2009-12-17). "New Ferry Dock for Prince Rupert". CFTK-TV. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
3. "NorthernRegion Highway Projects". Archived from the original on 2010-02-10. Retrieved 2010-01-26.
4. Hammersmark, John. "Nicola / Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams (ex-Quadra Queen and Cortes Queen)". The Ferry Terminal. Archived from the original on 24 October 2009. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
5. "Nicola (O.N. 312279)". Vessel Registration Query System. Transport Canada. Retrieved 17 February 2013.
6. Hammersmark, John. Albert J. Savoie. The Ferry Terminal. Archived from the original on October 25, 2009. Retrieved on February 16, 2013.

External links

• BC Ferries Homepage