List of BC Ferries ships

Last updated

View of Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (British Columbia, Canada) for BC Ferries TsawwassenFerryTerminal.JPG
View of Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (British Columbia, Canada) for BC Ferries

BC Ferries has the largest fleet of vehicle ferry vessels in the world. There are at least 45 vessels, ranging from small passenger-only water taxis, up to the 358-car Spirit-class ferries. All of the vessels in use by BC Ferries are roll-on/roll-off car ferries. Most of the major vessels are based on similar designs, which are aggregated into classes of ferries.

Contents

Current vessels

PhotoNameClassYear built
(Rebuilt)
Auto capacityPassenger capacityNotesRoute(s)
BC Ferries Island Gwawis.jpg Island Gwawis Island 202147300Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on April 12, 202219
BC Ferries Island Kwigwis.jpg Island Kwigwis Island 202147300Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on April 12, 202219
BC Ferries Island K'ulut'a.jpg Island K'ulut'a Island 202047300Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on January 17, 202323
BC Ferries Island Nagalis.jpg Island Nagalis Island 202047300Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on January 18, 202323
Island Aurora.jpg Island Aurora Island 2017–201947300Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on June 18, 2020 [1] 25
BC Ferry Island Discovery.jpg Island Discovery Island 2017–201947300Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on June 10, 202018
Salish Heron departing Sturdies Bay for Southern Gulf Island.jpg Salish Heron Salish 2020138600Entered service on May 6, 2022.9 (primary)
5, 17 (relief)
1 (relief in exigent circumstances)
Salish Eagle leaving Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.jpg Salish Eagle Salish 2016138600Entered service in mid-2017.5, 9, 9A, 17, 18 (rotating relief vessel)
2018-08-26 SALISH RAVEN - IMO 9750294.jpg Salish Raven Salish 2016138600Entered service on July 27, 2017.9 (primary)
5, 17 (relief)
Salish Orca.jpg Salish Orca Salish 2016138600Entered service on May 16, 2017.17 (primary)
9 (relief)
Baynessoundconnector.jpg Baynes Sound Connector None 201545150First and only cable ferry owned by BC Ferries and world's longest cable ferry. Entered service in February 2016.21
MV Northern Expedition, Nanaimo, March 6 2009(2).jpg Northern Expedition None 2009115600Entered service on May 18, 2009.10 (fall, winter)
11 (summer, fall, winter)
Ferry MV Coastal Celebration arrival at Departure Bay (cropped).jpg Coastal Celebration Coastal 20073101604Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on November 21, 2008.1
30 (relief)
Ferry Coastal Inspiration in Strait of Georgia.jpg Coastal Inspiration Coastal 20073101604Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on June 16, 2008.30
1 (relief)
Ferry Coastal Renaissance at Departure Bay.jpg Coastal Renaissance Coastal 20073101604Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on March 8, 2008.2
1 (relief)

30 (relief, extremely rare)


MV Northern Adventure at the Prince Rupert Ferry Terminal.jpg Northern Adventure None 200487600Purchased in late-2006 to replace the sunken Queen of the North.10 (spring, summer)
11 (spring)
MV Northern Sea Wolf.jpg Northern Sea Wolf None 200035150Purchased in 2017. [2] 28A (year round)
28 (summer)
MVSkeenaQueen.png Skeena Queen Century 199792600Entered service in 1997.4
2022-04-06 MV SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND - IMO 9030682.jpg Spirit of Vancouver Island Spirit 1994 (2018–2019)3582100Converted to marine diesel and LNG in 2018. Entered service in 1994. [3] 1
BC Ferries MV Spirit of British Columbia.jpg Spirit of British Columbia Spirit 1993 (2017–2018)3582100Converted to marine diesel and LNG between 2017 and 2018. Entered service in 1992. [4] Formerly, the Queen of Vancouver ran if this ferry was not running.1
2021-11-25 01 MALASPINA SKY - IMO 9370458, at BC Ferries terminal at Saltery Bay, Canada.jpg Malaspina Sky I 2008112450Entered service in February 2009. Vessel was formerly known as Island Sky, and was renamed to avoid confusion with the Island-class ferries as part of BC Ferries fleet standardization initiative, on October 24, 2019. [5] 7
2022-01-07 BC Ferries QUEEN OF CUMBERLAND - IMO 9009360, at Swartz Bay, BC Canada.jpg Queen of Cumberland I 1992 (2016)112462Entered service in late 1992.5
4, 7, 8 (relief)
Queen of Capilano -d.jpg Queen of Capilano I 1991 (2015)100462Auto capacity increased from 85 in 2015. Entered service in June 1991. Was temporarily down for upgrades in 2024.8
MV Quinsam.jpg Quinsam Q1982 (2010)63400Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.6
BC Ferry Quinitsa cropped.jpg Quinitsa Q1977 (2008)44394Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.22 (summer, relief other times)
6, 19, 21 (relief)
BC Ferry Queen of Oak Bay.jpg Queen of Oak Bay C 1981 (2005)3081494Entered service in 1981.2
2021-11-26 01 BC Ferries MV QUEEN OF SURREY - IMO 7902221.jpg Queen of Surrey C 1981 (2006)3081494Entered service in 1981.3 (year round)
2 (fall, winter)
2021-11-26 MV QUEEN OF COQUITLAM - IMO 7411155 at Horseshoe Bay, Canada.jpg Queen of Coquitlam C 1976 (2003)3161494Entered service in 1976.2 (spring, relief)
3 (spring, summer/relief)
P1030526 Queen of Cowichan.jpg Queen of Cowichan C 1976 (2004)3121494Entered service in 1976.2 (year round)
3 (fall, winter)
Queen of Alberni arriving at Departure Bay.jpg Queen of Alberni C 1976 (1984/2007)2801200Upper car deck added in 1984. Entered service in 1976.30 (all other times based out of Tsawwassen as main vessel), (secondary out of Nanaimo in summer, based out of Departure Bay)
2 & 3 (after Labour Day weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend)
BC Ferries Kuper.jpg Pune'luxutth K 1985 (2006)26269Purchased in 2006. Vessel was formerly known as Kuper, and was renamed in the spirit of reconciliation, on December 1, 2023. [6] 20
MV Kwuna.jpg Kwuna K 197516154Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.26
BC Ferries MV Kahloke-b.jpg Kahloke K 197321200Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.21 (summer)
22 (spring, fall, winter)
12, 20 (relief)
MV Klitsa on First Day of Service (Replaced MV Mill Bay) - panoramio.jpg Klitsa K 197219195Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.12
Quadra Queen II drydocked 2008.jpg Quadra Queen II T 1969 (2010)26293Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.relief on routes 24 & 25
BC Ferries Tachek.jpg Tachek T 1969 (2011)26243Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985.24
New West in Active Pass.JPG Queen of New Westminster None

(Formerly

V)
1964 (1973/ 1991/ 2009)2541332Originally a V-class ferry when built. Entered service on August 4, 1964.1
30 (If either Queen of Alberni or other Coastal-class vessels are unavailable)
Ferries Used on Unofficial Routes:
Nicola PR Harbour.jpg Nicola (also known as Spirit of Lax Kw' alaams) N 196016133Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985
Owned by but not operated by BC Ferries.
Unnumbered Route (Operated by the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation).
No image available 600 x 200.svg Stormaway III None n/k040Owned and operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Limited, under the sponsorship of and out of the Langdale terminal of BC Ferries, since 2003.13 (Operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Ltd).
2021-11-26 01 MV STORMAWAY IV (Canada Registration - 346309).jpg Stormaway IV None n/k040Owned and operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Limited, under the sponsorship of and out of the Langdale terminal of BC Ferries, since 2010.13 (Operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Ltd).
Centurion VII - small.jpg Centurion VII None 1985060Owned and operated by Western Pacific Marine, under the sponsorship of BC Ferries, and out of Western Pacific Marine's French Creek Terminal, since 2011.55 (Operated by Pacific Western Marine Ltd).
MV Spirt of Yalis.jpg Spirit of Yalis None n/k0n/kOwned and operated by Western Pacific Marine, as a water taxi/school trip ferry, under the sponsorship of Ferries.25u (Operated by Western Pacific Marine Ltd).
Spanish Fort Site (7462036308).jpg Uchuck III None 19420100Owned and operated by Get West Adventure Cruises, under the sponsorship of Ferries.53 (Operated by Get West Adventure Cruises).
Frances Barkley at the port of Port Alberni.jpg Frances Barkley None 19580200Owned and operated by Lady Rose Marine Services, under the sponsorship of Ferries.59 (Operated by Lady Rose Marine Services).
No image available 600 x 200.svg Tsimshian Storm None n/k0n/kOwned by the communities of Kitkatla, Hartley Bay, and Metlakatla. Operated by the Gitxaala First Nation, under the sponsorship of BC Ferries.60 (Operated by the Gitxaala First Nation).
No image available 600 x 200.svg Various vessels None n/k0n/kOperated by various water taxis, under the sponsorship of BC Ferries.51 (Operated by various water taxis).
No image available 600 x 200.svg Various vessels None n/k011-100Operated by West Coast Launch, under the sponsorship of BC Ferries.54 (Operated by West Coast Launch).

Former vessels

Since the 1960s, BC Ferries has retired the following ferries: [7]

PhotoNameClassBuilt (rebuilt)Years in serviceAuto capacityPassenger capacityNotesRefs
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Quillayute None 19271961-196335600Acquired in Black Ball purchase [8]
SS Smokwa.jpg SS Smokwa None 19461961-196646473Acquired in Black Ball purchase; named Scotian when built [9]
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Jervis Queen None 19281961-196645600Acquired in Black Ball purchase, formerly named Bainbridge [10]
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV George S. Pearson None 19251961-196618134Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, previously named Fox Island and Wollochet [11]
M-V Cy Peck - c1962 - Howe Sound.jpg MV Cy Peck None 1913 (1930)1961-196618135Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase; formerly named Island Princess and Daily [12]
Sunshine Coast Queen in Howe Sound - c1975.jpg MV Sunshine Coast Queen None 19521967-1976180+973Originally named Vacationland and later Père Nouvel Sank while being towed for scrap December 3, 1987
Sechelt Queen backing out of Horseshoe Bay - 9 September 1972.jpg MV Sechelt Queen None 19471961-197683670Acquired in Black Ball purchase, originally named Chinook [13]
Langdale Queen in Howe Sound ~1975.jpg MV Langdale Queen None 1903 (1919/1926/1952)1961-197680600Acquired in Black Ball purchase, formerly named Kahloke, City of Sacramento, and Asbury Park; scrapped in 2009 [14]
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Dogwood Princess None 19691969-1979030
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Dogwood Princess II None 1979 (1985)1979-2003038Received an engine upgrade in 1985
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Pender Queen None 1923 (1956)1961-198040250Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, formerly named Motor Princess. Sunk and scrapped in 2003 [15]
CPR Princess of Vancouver.jpg MV Princess of Vancouver Princess class19551985-1987150984Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet and the Canadian Pacific Railway
Queen of the Islands Delta 2008.jpg MV Queen of the Islands None 19631963-199140400Sold in 1991, permanently moored in Mosquito Creek Marina in North Vancouver since 2009
Salt Spring Queen just off of Swartz Bay - 6 Oct 1972.jpg MV Salt Spring Queen None 19491961-199636187Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, formerly named Delta Princess. Sold and renamed Golden Queen.
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Vesuvius Queen None 19501962-199835184Originally named Lloyd Jones and sailed on Okanagan Lake, sold to R & G Importadora & Exportadora of the Dominican Republic in 1998 [16]
Queen of Sidney entering Westview Terminal - late Aug. 1993.jpg MV Queen of Sidney Sidney 19601960-2000138989First vessel built by BC Ferries, abandoned in 2000
Queen of Victoria in Active Pass - c1990.jpg MV Queen of Victoria V 1962 (1970/1981)1962-20002861360Stretched in 1970, upper deck added in 1981 to increase capacity; sold to R & G Importadora & Exportadora of the Dominican Republic in 2001 [17]
Pacificat Explorer.jpg MV PacifiCat Explorer PacifiCat 19981998-20002351000Video documentary filmed about the ship's construction
BC Fast Ferries Deas Dock 2006.jpg MV PacifiCat Discovery PacifiCat 19991999-20002351000
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV PacifiCat Voyager PacifiCat 2000Never2351000Would have entered service in 2000
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Albert J. Savoie N 19611985-200216133Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet
No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Garibaldi II N 1964 (1977)1985-2006Originally 16, later reduced to 7133+Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet, sold to Harbour Cruises via Woodfibre Pulp Mill in 2006. Listed for sale on Craigslist in 2020. [18]
Queen of the North @ Prince Rupert.jpg MV Queen of the North None 19691974-2006115650Purchased from Stena Line in 1974; formerly named Queen of Surrey and Stena Danica; sank in Wright Sound on March 22, 2006
Queen of Esquimalt.jpg MV Queen of Esquimalt V 1963 (1969/1982)1963-20083761630Stretched in 1969, upper deck added in 1982 to increase capacity [19]
Queen of Tsawwassen entering Active Pass at Helen Pt. - Summer 1986 (D.O. Thorne photo).jpg MV Queen of Tsawwassen Sidney 19601960-2008128640 [20]
Queen of Saanich.jpg MV Queen of Saanich V 1962 (1972/1982)1962-20083601672Stretched in 1972, upper deck added in 1982 to increase capacity
Queen of Vancouver in Active Pass.jpg MV Queen of Vancouver V 1962 (1972/1981)1962-20093381670Stretched in 1972, upper deck added in 1981 to increase capacity [21]
MV Queen of Prince Rupert in September 2008.jpg MV Queen of Prince Rupert None 19651965-200980510Last BC Ferry built at Victoria Machinery Depot
Mill Bay Ferry - panoramio.jpg MV Mill Bay None 19561969-201116136Acquired in 1969 purchase of Coast Ferries
Queen of Chilliwack P1010358.jpg MV Queen of Chilliwack None 19781991-2015115400Acquired by Goundar Shipping in 2015
MV Alberni Legacy (ex Tenaka) IMG 20171231.jpg MV Tenaka None 19641985-201624244Acquired by Lady Rose Marine Services in 2016
Queen of Burnaby (9360078609).jpg MV Queen of Burnaby Burnaby 1965 (1972)1965–1994; 2000-2017168904Stretched in 1972 to increase capacity
Queen of Nanaimo.jpg MV Queen of Nanaimo Burnaby 1964 (1974)1964-20171641163Stretched in 1974 to increase capacity
Howe Sound Queen.jpg MV Howe Sound Queen None 19641971-201952300Purchased in 1971. Sold at an auction for CA$ 210,000 in 2019 [22]
2017-06-27 Bella Bella (36284502403).jpg MV Nimpkish N 19731985-20201295Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985
North Island Princess.jpg MV North Island Princess None 1958 (1971)1969–1977; 1985-202038150Acquired in 1969 purchase of Coast Ferries; Transferred to Ministry of Transportation & Highways in 1977 and back to BC Ferries in 1985; currently for sale. [23] [24]
Bowen Queen in bound from the Gulf Islands - seen just off of Tsawwassen Terminal - 3 July 2011.jpg MV Bowen Queen Powell River 1965 (1979)1965-202261400Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity
Mayne Queen.jpg MV Mayne Queen Powell River 1965 (1979)1965-202258400Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity. Last full day of service on route 5 was November 19, 2022.
BC Ferry Powell River Queen viewed from side.jpg MV Powell River Queen Powell River 1965 (1979)1965-202359408Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity. Currently for sale.

Planned retirement

BC Ferries has plans to retire the Queen of New Westminster as well as the five C-class vessels, starting in 2029. These will be replaced by up to seven of the "New Major Vessel" ships. [25]

Future vessels

In 2019, BC started a $200 million program to acquire four hybrid/electric ferries (800 kWh each) to service three routes. [26] As for the remaining seven vessels within the 12-year capital plan, they will all be large ships, which will replace six aging ships and provide one additional vessel to support growth and improve resiliency. Marshall says the first of these new large ships will enter service in 2029. [27]

PhotoNameClassYear built
(Rebuilt)
Auto capacityPassenger capacityNotesRoute(s)
All four ships will be identical to the existing Island-class vessels (see above).Island class 2nd Batch Island TBA47400Four BC-built ships which are hybrid electric-powered, with the ability to convert to full-electric propulsion, once shore-based charging technology is available for implementation. These vessels are expected to serve routes connecting Vancouver Island to Saltspring Island, Denman Island to Hornby Island, as well as Quadra Island to Cortes Island. This would also allow for the retirement of the two remaining T-class vessels. [28] 24, 22, 6, and 1 relief vessel
No image available 600 x 200.svg New Major VesselTBA2029–2035~ 360~ 2,100The New Major Vessel class, introduced on February 26, 2024, will consist of at least seven double-ended ships. As with the Island class vessels, the New Major Vessels will be hybrid electric-powered, with the ability to convert to full-electric propulsion, once shore-based charging technology is available for implementation. These vessels are expected to serve the three major routes connecting Vancouver Island and the lower mainland, and would allow for the retirement of the Queen of New Westminster, as well as the five C-class vessels. The ships were designed in collaboration with LMG Marin, a Norwegian engineering services company. [29] BC Ferries commenced the bidding process to find a shipyard to build the vessels, in November 2023, with the contract expected to be awarded by December 2024[ needs update ]. [30] 1, 2, 3, 30, and 1 relief vessel

See also

Related Research Articles

British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., operating as BC Ferries (BCF), is a former provincial Crown corporation, now operating as an independently managed, publicly owned Canadian company. BC Ferries provides all major passenger and vehicle ferry services for coastal and island communities in the Canadian province of British Columbia. Set up in 1960 to provide a similar service to that provided by the Black Ball Line and the Canadian Pacific Railway, which were affected by job action at the time, BC Ferries has become the largest passenger ferry line in North America, operating a fleet of 41 vessels with a total passenger and crew capacity of over 27,000, serving 47 locations on the B.C. coast.

S-class ferry BC Ferries RORO ferry class

S-class ferries are roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferries operated by BC Ferries in British Columbia, Canada. They are the largest ferries in the BC Ferries fleet. The class comprises two ships, Spirit of British Columbia and Spirit of Vancouver Island, which were completed in 1993 and 1994 respectively. They serve the ferry route between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. In 2017, the class underwent conversion to a dual-fuel propulsion system that would allow them to use either marine diesel fuel or liquefied natural gas.

C-class ferry

The C-class ferries are a class of five double-ended roll-on/roll-off ferries operated by BC Ferries in the Strait of Georgia in British Columbia, constructed between 1976 and 1981. When the vessels were first built, they were the largest ships of their kind in the world. The C-class ferries are 139.29 m (457.0 ft) long, with a car capacity of 316, and a crew and passenger capacity of 1494 persons. Each vessel's two MaK 12M551AK engines produce 11,860 HP, which provides a maximum service speed of 20.5 knots.

MV <i>Queen of Nanaimo</i>

MV Queen of Nanaimo is a Burnaby-class passenger vessel that was operated by BC Ferries from the time it entered service in 1964 until 2017. Queen of Nanaimo was used to ferry passengers and vehicles from mainland British Columbia, Canada to the islands off its coast. In 2017, the vessel was sold to Goundar Shipping Ltd. and renamed MV Lomaiviti Princess V for service in Fiji.

V-class ferry

The V-class ferries, also known as the Victoria class, originally included seven ferries operated by BC Ferries built between 1962 and 1965. The V class were a continuation of the previous Sidney-class design with some cosmetic changes and different engines. These vessels were the backbone of service on the Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay route prior to the arrival of MV Spirit of British Columbia in 1993. Four of these vessels underwent vehicle capacity increases three times. The lead ship of the class, Queen of Victoria suffered significant damage in a collision in 1970.

<i>Powell River</i>-class ferry

The Powell River-class ferry is a class of ships formerly operated by BC Ferries. The open deck vessels were mostly used on low-to-moderate volume routes, with Mayne Queen having operated permanently on Route 5, connecting the Outer Gulf Islands with Swartz Bay, Powell River Queen having served on Route 23, Campbell River to Quadra Island, and Bowen Queen having been on relief duty, typically filling in on Routes 4, 5, and 9.

MV <i>Queen of Alberni</i>

MV Queen of Alberni is a C-class ferry that operates between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in British Columbia as part of the BC Ferries fleet.

MV <i>Coastal Celebration</i>

MV Coastal Celebration is the third and final Coastal-class ship to be delivered to BC Ferries. The class comprises some of the largest double-ended ferries in the world. The vessel completed construction in 2008 and entered service the same year. Unlike her sister ships, Coastal Renaissance and Coastal Inspiration, Coastal Celebration was equipped with a Pacific Buffet for service on the Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen route, until it was discontinued during the COVID-19 pandemic, and then closed permanently in June 2023.

<i>Sidney</i>-class ferry

The Sidney class consisted of two roll-on/roll-off ferries, Queen of Sidney and Queen of Tsawwassen, built for the British Columbia Ferry Corporation in service from 1960 to 2008. The design for the ships was based on the ferry MV Coho with changes made to accommodate loading of vehicles through the bow of the vessel. Both vessels serviced different routes throughout their service lives.

MV <i>Coastal Inspiration</i>

MV Coastal Inspiration is the second of three Coastal-class ships delivered to BC Ferries. Launched in 2007 and entering service in 2008, Coastal Inspiration operates on the Duke Point – Tsawwassen route in British Columbia. The vessel collided with the terminal at Duke Point on December 20, 2011, suffering significant damage that kept the ship in the dockyard until January 2012.

MV <i>Queen of Prince Rupert</i>

MV Queen of Prince Rupert was a roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ferry operated by BC Ferries that provided the main surface transport link between the Queen Charlotte Islands and mainland British Columbia, connecting Skidegate with Prince Rupert across the Hecate Strait. The vessel also ran on the Prince Rupert–Port Hardy Inside Passage route during the low season.

MV <i>Malaspina Sky</i>

MV Malaspina Sky is an Intermediate-class ferry in the BC Ferries fleet built in 2008.

MV <i>Spirit of Vancouver Island</i>

Spirit of Vancouver Island is an S-class ferry, part of the BC Ferries fleet. Along with MV Spirit of British Columbia, it is the largest in the BC Ferries fleet. The ship was completed in 1994 and serves the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen route. In 2018, Spirit of Vancouver Island began a mid-life refit in Poland, where it was converted to a dual-fuel system to allow liquefied natural gas propulsion. The vessel returned to service in 2019.

MV <i>Spirit of British Columbia</i>

MV Spirit of British Columbia is an S-class ferry, part of the BC Ferries fleet active along the British Columbia coast. It and Spirit of Vancouver Island represent the two largest ships in the fleet. The ship was completed in 1993 and serves the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route. In 2018, it underwent a mid-life refit that included conversion to a dual-fuel system that allows it to use either marine diesel oil or liquefied natural gas.

MV <i>Nimpkish</i>

MV Nimpkish is an N-class ferry formerly owned by BC Ferries. It is 33.93 metres (111.3 ft) long, holds 12 vehicles and 95 passengers, and its maximum speed is 11 knots. Nimpkish entered service with the Ministry of Transportation's Salt Water division in 1973, and was built in Vancouver to serve the inter-island routes. The vessel was transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. It formerly did runs on the Discovery Coast Connector service, a summer-only route linking Port Hardy, Bella Bella, Shearwater, Klemtu, Ocean Falls and Bella Coola.

MV <i>Queen of Chilliwack</i>

MV Queen of Chilliwack was a ferry owned by BC Ferries, built in Norway in 1978, then known as Bastø I. The ferry route she was assigned to was the Moss–Horten Ferry in the Oslofjord.

MV <i>Nicola</i> (1960)

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, 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.

MV <i>Tenaka</i>

The MV Tenaka is a ferry previously owned by BC Ferries. She was built for BC's Ministry of Transportation and Highways in 1964 in Victoria, British Columbia by the Victoria Machinery Depot. Originally named the Comox Queen, she was renamed Tenaka in 1977 and became part of BC Ferries' fleet in 1985 when the Ministry of Transportation's saltwater ferries and routes were transferred to BC Ferries. As of April 2016, the Tenaka was sold to Lady Rose Marine Services, a tourism company operating out of Port Alberni, British Columbia.

N-class ferry

N-class ferries are a class of RORO ferries, of which one remaining example is owned by BC Ferries and has the distinction of being the smallest vessel in their fleet.

SS <i>Princess Marguerite</i>

Princess Marguerite, Princess Marguerite II, and Princess Marguerite III was a series of Canadian coastal passenger vessels that operated along the west coast of British Columbia and into Puget Sound in Washington state almost continuously from 1925 to 1999. Known locally as "the Maggie", they saw the longest service of any vessel that carried passengers and freight between Victoria, Vancouver, and Seattle. The vessels were owned and operated by a series of companies, primarily Canadian Pacific Railway Company (CPSS) and British Columbia Steamships Corporation. The first two were part of the CPR "Princess fleet," which was composed of ships having names which began with the title "Princess". These were named after Marguerite Kathleen Shaughnessy, who was not a princess but was the daughter of Baron Thomas Shaughnessy, then chairman of the board of CPSS's parent, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).

References

  1. "The Island Class". BC Ferries. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  2. Thompson, Caitlin (September 1, 2017). "Northern Sea Wolf to sail Bella Coola – Port Hardy in summer 2018". Coast Mountain News. Bella Coola, BC: Black Press Group Ltd. Archived from the original on Sep 25, 2017. Retrieved September 25, 2017.
  3. "Spirit of Vancouver Island Mid-Life Upgrade | BC Ferries - British Columbia Ferry Services Inc". www.bcferries.com. Archived from the original on Feb 3, 2019. Retrieved June 30, 2020.
  4. "Sprit of British Columbia Mid-life upgrade". bcferries.com. Archived from the original on Dec 26, 2018. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
  5. "Powell River-Earls Cove ferry renamed Malaspina Sky". The Peak. 2019-10-24. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  6. "BC Ferries renames MV Kuper in the spirit of reconciliation". BC Ferries. December 1, 2023.
  7. Hammersmark, John. "Old and Retired Ferries". The Ferry Terminal. Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 1 June 2013.
  8. Photos of MV Quillayute. EvergreenFleet.com.
  9. Photos of SS Smokwa (ex-Scotian). EvergreenFleet.com.
  10. Photos of MV Jervis Queen (ex-Bainbridge). EvergreenFleet.com.
  11. Photos of MV George S. Pearson (ex-Fox Island, ex-Wollochet). EvergreenFleet.com.
  12. Photo of MV Cy Peck. EvergreenFleet.com.
  13. Photos of MV Sechelt Queen (ex-Chinoook II, ex Chinook). EvergreenFleet.com.
  14. Photos of MV Langdale Queen (ex-Kahloke, ex-City of Sacramento, ex-Asbury Park). EvergreenFleet.com.
  15. Photo of MV Pender Queen (ex-Motor Princess). EvergreenFleet.com.
  16. MarineLink.com: Sale of the MV Vesuvius Queen
  17. MarineLink.com: Sale of the MV Queen of Victoria
  18. Thuncher, Jennifer. "Former Woodfibre pulp mill ferry for sale". Coast Reporter. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  19. Times Colonist, "Queen of Esquimalt sold to buyer in China", 12 July 2008 Archived 4 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine
  20. Photos of MV Queen of Tsawwassen (ex-Tsawwassen). EvergreenFleet.com.
  21. Photos of MV Queen of Vancouver (ex-City of Vancouver). EvergreenFleet.com.
  22. L, Troy; reville. "Final bid for Howe Sound Queen comes in at $210,000". My Campbell River Now. Retrieved 2020-08-30.
  23. Morneau, Ethan (2020-07-19). "BC Ferries' decommissioned North Island Princess on the market for $159,000". My Powell River Now. Retrieved 2020-09-04.
  24. Hammersmark, John (October 30, 2006). "North Island Princess - BC Ferries". West Coast Ferries. Archived from the original on September 27, 2020. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
  25. "News release - First look at new major vessel concepts". www.bcferries.com. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
  26. Sarabia, Luke (February 11, 2020). "As electric boats push off, where does Canada stand?". Electric Autonomy Canada.
  27. Chan, Kenneth (November 24, 2022). "BC Ferries to order 11 new ships over the coming years | Urbanized". Daily Hive. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
  28. Wilson, Carla (November 24, 2022). "B.C. Ferries seeking shipyards to build up to four Island-class ferries". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  29. "News release - First look at new major vessel concepts". www.bcferries.com. Retrieved 2024-03-16.
  30. Zeidler, Maryse (November 22, 2023). "B.C. Ferries begins bidding process for 7 new hybrid vessels". CBC News. Retrieved March 16, 2024.