Yard number 646 Tonnage 5,554 GT Length 127 m | Identification IMO number 5284998 Launched 7 March 1955 Draft 4.6 m | |
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Name MV Princess of Vancouver (1955-1985)
Princess of Vancouver Island (1985-1993)
Nan Hai Ming Zhu (1993-2001)
Pearl of South China Sea (2001-present) Owner 1955-1981 Canadian Pacific Railway
1981-1985 British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Highways
1985-1987 BC Ferries
1987-1990British Columbia Steamship Company
1990-1993 Stena Line
1993-2001 Kangda Shipping Company, China
2001-present Haveton Shipping Limited, Hong Kong Operator 1955-1981 Canadian Pacific Railway Builder Alexander Stephen and Sons | ||
MV Princess of Vancouver was a passenger vessel in the Pacific coastal service fleet of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).
The ship was part of the CPR "Princess fleet," which was composed of ships having names which began with the title "Princess".
History
In 1955, Princess of Vancouver was added to the CPR fleet; and she would become the last remnant of the once famous coastal service in service. In 1981, sold to the BC Ministry of Transportation and Highways saltwater ferries. The ships bow was modified and in 1982 placed in service between Little River (Comox) and Powell River.
On 10 October 1985 she was registered as Princess of Vancouver for the British Columbia Ferry Corporation and operated between Comox, British Columbia and Powell River, British Columbia, and from 1987 between Seattle and Victoria as "Vancouver Island Princess". In 1989 she was added to the British Columbia Stena Line and used along on the Victoria to Seattle route along with the SS Princess Marguerite.
In 1993 she was sold to China and renamed Nan Hai Ming Zhu. In 2001 she was sold to Haveton Shipping, Hong Kong and renamed Pearl of South China Sea. In 2007 she was listed as in active service.
Princess of Vancouver pioneered a series of diesel engine innovations that made possible the use of heavy fuel oil in medium speed trunk piston engines.