The first of three new vessels BC Ferries ordered from a Polish shipyard will arrive in BC waters tomorrow.
The arrival will conclude Salish Orca's 50-day journey across the Atlantic Ocean. It's expected to start serving the Comox-Powell River run this Spring.
BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall says there are still steps to be taken before final acceptance of the vessel.
"There are various inspections that have to be done, (and) removal of equipment that we need to have happen. There was some welding done for the Trans-Atlantic voyage, so the visor doors, for example, were welded shut. There were some stanchions and whatnot for the voyage."
Remontowa Shipyards in Gdansk, Poland was awarded a $165-million dollar contract in 2014 to deliver three intermediate class vessels capable of operating on either diesel fuel or liquefied natural gas.
Salish Orca's two sister vessels are still being completed. Both are expected to enter service this year.