BC Ferries is an integral part of British Columbia's coastal transportation system. With 26 routes to link isolated communities to Vancouver Island or the mainland, BC Ferries carries more than 20 million passengers and nine million vehicles annually, making it the fifth largest ferry system in the world. Vessels, when not in service (overnight or during low traffic periods), are connected to a shore power electrical system. This allows the vessel’s generators to be shutdown and the crew to go home, while the shore power keeps pumps, lights, ventilation, alarm and other essential vessel systems operating. BC Ferries upgraded the shore power electrical systems, to improve safety and functional aspects, and to implement one standard system that permits any vessel to connect at any berth. 32 vessels and 52 berths were converted over a three-year program completed in 2003. Ausenco Sandwell worked with BC Ferries to develop the details of the shore power system, and to design standard electrical vessel and berth panels. We then produced the specifications for ordering equipment and produced the drawings and specifications to enable contractors to install the new vessel and berth shore power equipment. During the course of the project, Ausenco Sandwell had extensive dealings with transformer, connector and panel manufacturers, and with regulatory agencies such as Transport Canada and Marine Safety.

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