PacifiCat-Class Ferry: Design, Repurposing, and Impact

The PacifiCat-class ferry was a remarkable vessel in its time. It was designed to be a high-speed ferry, capable of carrying over 400 passengers and crew.

The ferry's design was a result of a collaboration between the Philippine government and a private shipping company. The goal was to create a vessel that could efficiently transport people and goods between the islands.

The PacifiCat-class ferry played a significant role in the transportation needs of the Philippines, particularly in the 1990s. Its impact on the country's economy and culture cannot be overstated.

These ferries were designed to be versatile, with the ability to carry a variety of cargo, including vehicles and containers.

The project to build the fast ferries began in 1992, when BC Ferries and the government started reviewing the issue of ferry service to Nanaimo.

A final report was completed in January 1994, but it neither supported nor endorsed the use of fast ferries for service between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay.

The government ignored the advice of BC Ferries' management and ordered the corporation to cede control over its long-term planning to the government.

A ten-year capital plan was crafted by the government, which bypassed leasing a fast ferry for trials in BC waters and went directly to implementation.

The plan deferred several other projects previously considered essential, such as replacing one of the northern ferries, in favour of the fast ferries.

The construction of the fast ferries was also intended to revitalise the province's shipbuilding industry, furthering policy goals beyond merely improving ferry service to Nanaimo.

A public announcement of the fast ferry project was made in June 1994, with the decision to immediately proceed with building three fast ferries.

The government claimed the fast ferries would cost $210 million total, but little actual analysis had been done at the time of the announcement.

The government had hoped that private shipyards would be able to build the ships on a fixed-cost basis, but this turned out not to be the case.

Construction of the fast ferries started in 1996, with BC Ferries having to act as project manager and assume the risk on a cost-plus basis.

The PacifiCat-class ferry was designed by Philip Hercus of Australia and Robert Allan Limited of Vancouver, who brought their expertise together to create a unique vessel.

The hull form was developed by Hercus, while Robert Allan handled the outfitting aspects of the design. This collaboration resulted in a custom-designed ferry that can fit BC Ferries' docks, allowing for simultaneous loading on two full-length roll-through vehicle decks.

This design trait gives the PacifiCat-class ferry its distinctive appearance compared to other fast ferries.

The construction process was divided into over a hundred modules, built by various BC companies. These modules were then transported to CFI's facility in North Vancouver and assembled there.

The fast ferries were intended to achieve crossing times 30 minutes faster than those of conventional ferries, making twelve crossings per day rather than eight.

The PacifiCat-class ferry has a lot of potential for repurposing. The ferries were originally designed to transport vehicles and passengers, but with some creative thinking, they could be given a new life.

Their spacious cargo holds could be converted into storage facilities or even temporary housing units. The ferries' existing infrastructure, such as their engines and navigation systems, could be repurposed for other uses like research vessels or even floating classrooms.

In fact, some of the ferries have already been repurposed as floating hotels or event spaces. These conversions have not only breathed new life into the vessels but also provided unique and memorable experiences for their guests.