B.C. Ferries' brand new vessel, the Coastal Celebration, set off today from Swartz Bay for its first voyage with passengers aboard.

Ferries president David Hahn says the German-built ship came in at least 20 million dollars under budget.

The ferry will sail between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen on Friday and Sunday afternoons between now and the December holiday period.

It's the third big vessel in B.C. carrying 16 hundred passengers and 370 vehicles.