MV Nicola (1960)

History
Canada
NameQuadra Queen
OwnerMinistry of Highways
OperatorMinistry of Highways
BuilderAllied Shipbuilders Ltd., Vancouver
Cost$165,270
Completed1960
RenamedCortes Queen, Nicola
Canada
NameNicola
NamesakeChief Nicola
OwnerBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
OperatorBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Statusoperation transferred to Lax Kw'alaams
Canada
NameSpirit of Lax Kw'alaams
NamesakeLax Kw'alaams, British Columbia
OwnerBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
OperatorLax Kw'alaams First Nations community
RoutePrince Rupert to Lax Kw'alaams
Identification
Statusship in active service
General characteristics
Class & typeN-class RORO ferry
Tonnage256.34
Length33.8 m (110.9 ft)
Installed power680 hp (510 kW)
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Capacity
  • 133 passengers
  • 16 cars

MV Nicola is an N-class ferry, owned, but not operated by BC Ferries. It is also known as Spirit of Lax Kw' Alaams, a British Columbia First Nations name. Spirit of Lax Kw' Alaams currently runs between Prince Rupert and Port Simpson, (also known as Lax Kw'alaams) a British Columbia First Nations community on British Columbia's North Coast. Overnight the vessel is kept at the Smit tugboat dock in Prince Rupert Harbour.

In December 2009 Sahar Nassimdoost reported that a new dock was under construction in Prince Rupert for use by Spirit of Lax Kw' Alaams. The BC government report on the project mentions that the new Prince Rupert dock will be near Aero Point and cost CA$2,976,300.00 with an expected completion time of June 2010.