MV Nicola (1960) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids History
Canada
Name	Nicola
Namesake	Chief Nicola
Owner	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Operator	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Builder	Vancouver, British Columbia
Completed	1960
Status	operation transferred to Lax Kw'alaams
Canada
Name	Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams
Namesake	Lax Kw'alaams, British Columbia
Owner	British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Operator	Lax Kw'alaams First Nations community
Route	Prince Rupert to Lax Kw'alaams
Identification	IMO number: 5287744 MMSI number: 316012834 Callsign: VCNN
Status	ship in active service
General characteristics
Class and type	N-class RORO ferry
Tonnage	256.34
Length	33.8 m (110.9 ft)
Installed power	680 hp (510 kW)
Speed	10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Capacity	133 passengers 16 cars

The MV Nicola is a special kind of boat called an N class ferry. It is owned by BC Ferries, a company that runs many ferries in British Columbia, Canada. However, the Nicola is not operated by BC Ferries. Instead, it is run by the Lax Kw'alaams First Nations community.

This ferry is also known by another name: Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams. This name comes from the Lax Kw'alaams First Nations people. The Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams travels between Prince Rupert and Port Simpson, which is also known as Lax Kw'alaams. This community is located on the North Coast of British Columbia. At night, the ferry stays safely docked in Prince Rupert Harbour.

About the Ferry's Journey

The Spirit of Lax Kw'alaams helps people and cars travel between Prince Rupert and Lax Kw'alaams. This route is very important for the community. In 2009, a new dock was built in Prince Rupert especially for this ferry. This new dock helps the ferry load and unload passengers and vehicles more easily. The project was completed in June 2010.

Key Facts About the Nicola

Here are some interesting facts about the MV Nicola:

• It was built in Vancouver, British Columbia.
• The ship was launched in 1960, making it quite an old vessel.
• It can carry up to 16 cars at one time.
• The ferry has space for 133 passengers.
• Its total length is about 33.8 metres (which is about 111 feet).
• The ship weighs 255 gross tons.
• It can travel at a speed of 10 knots (about 18.5 kilometres per hour).
• The engine has 680 horsepower.

The Nicola's Sister Ships

The Nicola has two "sister ships," which means they were built similarly. These are the MV Nimpkish and the MV Albert J Savoie.

• The Nicola and the Nimpkish are the smallest ferries owned by BC Ferries.
• Unlike the Nicola, the Nimpkish is both owned and operated by BC Ferries.
• The MV Albert J Savoie was sold by BC Ferries in 2002 to a company called Rainy Day Logging.