The marine construction project to extend Victoria’s Ogden Point berthing capacity is expected to be complete in time to welcome the first cruise ship of this season. That vanguard of the 228 ships scheduled to visit in 2010 arrives April 26th.
The new mooring dolphin, some 70 metres off Pier B, will enable Ogden Point to better accommodate an expanding flotilla of jumbo cruise ships – those in service and the even larger ones being built - that has already outgrown the terminal’s 243-metre jetty.
When complete, the $3.3-million project – which includes some dredging - will enable a pair of 335-metre ships to dock simultaneously, without hanging out well past the wharf as they do now. In addition, the longer pier arrangement will permit mooring lines to be deployed at more effective angles, in safer configurations – resulting in berthing capabilities similar to that of Seattle and Alaskan ports of call.
The mooring dolphin project – a financial collaboration of the federal and BC governments, and the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority – is a group effort by principal contractor Pacific Industrial and Marine Ltd., and project engineers Herold Engineering and PND Engineering.
In 2009, cruise ships brought some 550,000 passengers and crew to Victoria, who spent an estimated $70 million while there – which includes $50,000 per ship in repairs and services.
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