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Oct 4,2009 Vancouver Sun

 

 
 
 
 
The Burrard Otter SeaBus makes her way from the foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver to the foot of Granville St. in Vancouver.
 

The Burrard Otter SeaBus makes her way from the foot of Lonsdale in North Vancouver to the foot of Granville St. in Vancouver.

Photograph by: Ian Smith, Vancouver Sun files

VANCOUVER — TransLink plans to spend about $400,000 to refurbish its SeaBus terminals so a new lighter ship won't hit the terminal overhangs at high tide, TransLink officials said Friday.

Because the new vessel is lighter, it sits higher in the water and closer to the overhangs, said Michelle Blake, director of engineering and project services at Translink.

Despite the additional work, the new ship is still expected to begin taking passengers as planned by late December or early January within the projected budget of $25 million, Blake said.

Engineers discovered the problem during final checks of the boat in the shipyard, said Sheri Plewes, vice-president of capital management and engineering at TransLink.

"We had a minimal clearance, which we felt was not acceptable at high tide," Plewes said.

Work on the western terminal on the North Shore already has been completed, and the three other terminals will be completed before launch of the new vessel, Blake said.

Plewes said the new SeaBus will use less fuel and produce a smaller wake.

The two current ships and the new ship will run during the Olympics. After the Games, one of the 30-year-old ships will be retired.

"We'll keep the vessel that is in better condition and we will retire the vessel that has the most wear," Plewes said.

rdalton@vancouversun.com

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