The hull for B.C.'s newest ferry has hit the water of Upper Arrow Lake, with the vessel on track to be in service by the spring of 2014.
The hull was launched into the lake Sunday at Nakusp, with the superstructure to be built locally by Waterbridge Steel. The vessel will make the Arrow Lakes crossing between Galena Bay and Shelter Bay in 20 minutes, with a capacity of 80 vehicles and 250 passengers.
The new ferry is to replace two smaller vessels that have served the route for 40 years.
The transportation ministry says the project is on time and on budget, with a contract cost of $26.5 million.
B.C. has four free-running inland ferries, on Upper Arrow Lake, Kootenay Lake, Francois Lake and Barnston Island on the Fraser River.