BC Ferries K-Class

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The K class, commonly referred to as "K-barges", are a series of 4 vessels owned and operated by BC Ferries.

The first three vessels in the K class (Klitsa, Kahloke, and Kwuna) were built for the BC Ministry of Transportation and Highways, and were used on various Ministry-operated routes connecting Vancouver Island to smaller islands. The fourth vessel (Kuper) was purchased used from the Utah Department of Transportation, and was rebuilt and widened by BC Ferries.

While all commonly considered part of the same class, each vessel was built separately and with slightly different configurations and capacities. The two vessels previously operated operated by Translink on the Albion - Fort Langley route on the Fraser River, Kulleet and Klatawa, are also considered siblings to the four K class vessels operated by BC Ferries. The two Translink vessels were retired in 2011, after the opening of the Golden Ears bridge.

Klitsa

Klitsa
Built 1972, Vancouver
IMO 7228481
Home base Brentwood Bay
Route(s) served 12

Klitsa is the first of four vessels in the K class of vessels operating for BC Ferries.[1]

Originally named Denman Queen, the vessel was first assigned to its namesake route, the Buckley Bay - Denman Island route. One year later, it was renamed to Klitsa. In 1978, Klitsa was replaced on its route by the larger Kahloke, and was transferred to route 20 (Chemainus - Thetis - Penelkaut). After a series of vessel movements in late 1983, Klitsa was reduced to providing summer service on route 20, becoming a spare vessel during the off-peak season.[2]

Klitsa joined the BC Ferries fleet in 1985 when all Ministry of Transportation saltwater operations were transferred to BC Ferries, operating Klitsa in the same fashion as before. In 2006, Kuper replaced both Klitsa and Kahloke on route 20, and Klitsa became a full-time spare ship. During this time, Klitsa was occasionally lent to Translink when one of their two vessels was in refit, or experienced mechanical difficulties. Klitsa was not assigned permanently to another route until 2011, when it replaced retiring Mill Bay on route 12 (Mill Bay - Brentwood Bay).

Engines Max speed Length Displacement Vehicle capacity Passenger capacity
700 hp 10 knots 47.55 m 450 tonnes 22 autos 150


Kahloke

Kahloke
Built 1973, Vancouver
IMO 7330595
Home base Shingle Spit
Route(s) served 22

Kahloke is the second of four vessels in the K class of vessels operating for BC Ferries.[3]

As a slightly larger vessel than the three preceding K class vessels, Kahloke was first assigned to the Nanaimo Harbour - Gabriola Island route, replacing Klatawa. Kahloke was also found to be too small for this route, and was replaced in 1977 by the newly-built Quinitsa. Kahloke was then reassigned a year later to the Buckley Bay - Denman Island route, replacing Klitsa. In late 1983, Kahloke was replaced by Quinitsa again, and was shifted to route 22 (Denman Island - Hornby Island) during the busier summer periods, and route 20 (Chemainus - Thetis - Penelakut) during the off-peak.[4] Kahloke was replaced by Tachek on route 22 during the off-season, and by Klitsa on route 20 during the summer.

Kahloke joined the BC Ferries fleet in 1985 when all Ministry of Transportation saltwater operations were transferred to BC Ferries, and continued to operate seasonally on routes 22 and 20. After Kuper entered service in 2006, Kahloke was assigned year-round to route 22.

Engines Max speed Length Displacement Vehicle capacity Passenger capacity
800 hp 10 knots 54.71 m 496 tonnes 30 autos 200


Kwuna

Kwuna
Built 1975, Victoria
IMO 7512117
Home base Alliford Bay
Route(s) served 26

Kwuna is the third of four vessels in the K class of vessels operated by BC Ferries.[5][6]

Kwuna was custom built to operate in one location: route 26 (Alliford Bay - Skidegate) in Haida Gwaii. The terminals on this route do not contain loading ramps, so Kwuna has its own ramp on either end. Because of this unique arrangement (and its isolated location from the rest of the BC Ferries system), it cannot be replaced by another vessel when experiencing mechanical issues or when undergoing refit.

Originally built for the BC Ministry of Transportation and Highways, it was transferred to BC Ferries in 1985 along with the Ministry's entire saltwater operations.

Engines Max speed Length Displacement Vehicle capacity Passenger capacity
906 hp 9.5 knots 71.64 m 503 tonnes 26 autos 150


Kuper

Kuper
Built 1985, Bullfrog, UT
IMO 9029267
Home base Thetis Island
Route(s) served 20

Kuper is the fourth of four vessels in the K class of vessels operating for BC Ferries.[7]

Originally named John Atlantic Burr, it was constructed in Salt Lake City, and shipped in pieces to be assembled in Bullfrog, Utah. John Atlantic Burr operated for the Utah Department of Transportation across the Colorado River between Bullfrog and Hall's Crossing until it was sold in September 2005 to BC Ferries. It was cut into 4 pieces to be transported by land, and was reassembled by Allied Shipbuilders in North Vancouver. During the reassembly, additional deck pieces were added to both widen and lengthen the vessel, increasing its vehicle capacity. The newly renamed Kuper entered service on March 31, 2007, and was assigned to route 20 (Chemainus - Thetis - Penelakut), where it continues to operate today.[8]

Engines Max speed Length Displacement Vehicle capacity Passenger capacity
950 hp 10 knots 52.21 m 648 tonnes 32 autos 269


References

  1. Klitsa, BC Ferries, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  2. Klitsa, www.westcoastferries.ca, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  3. Kahloke, BC Ferries, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  4. Kahloke, www.westcoastferries.ca, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  5. Kwuna, BC Ferries, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  6. Kwuna, www.westcoastferries.ca, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  7. Kuper, BC Ferries, retrieved 01-21-2017.
  8. M.V. Kuper, www.westcoastferries.ca, retrieved 01-21-2017.