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NEWLY UPGRADED QUEEN OF COWICHAN RETURNS TO SERVICE
Over $34 Million in New Improvements VICTORIA

The new Queen of Cowichan will be back in full service on the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay
route on Monday, June 21, 2004, following an extensive mid-life upgrade. Similar to the
Queen of Coquitlam upgrade last year, the Queen of Cowichan refurbishment encompasses
engineering components, lifesaving equipment and on-board services. Passenger improvements
include an expanded Passages gift shop, new food service facilities, redesigned passenger
lounges and children’s play area, as well as study carrels and an enclosed video arcade.

BC Ferries spent over $34 million on the vessel’s mid-life upgrade.
BC Ferries food service partners will be featured in the expanded Coastal Cafe
including White Spot burgers, Bread Garden sandwiches and Villages pizza. The food
service area is designed to increase customer choice and speed of service.

The refurbishment of the Queen of Cowichan includes safety upgrades, major
new maintenance work such as steel replacement, piping and cable renewal,
hull sandblasting and extensive painting. The vessel has been outfitted with
four state-of-the art marine evacuation systems.

The Queen of Cowichan is the second of five C-class vessels to undergo a
comprehensive upgrade. The remaining vessels will be completed over the next
three years as part of a major program to renew BC Ferries’ fleet and terminals.
The next vessel scheduled for a major mid-life upgrade is the Queen of Oak Bay.

http://www.bcferries.ca/news/files/04-045_cowichan_launch.pdf