BC FERRIES' MAYNE QUEEN RETIRES AFTER 57 YEARS OF SERVICE

Mayne Queen arrives on Saturna Island
©SueFrausePhoto (2006)

BC Ferries' Mayne Queen will make its last official full-time run on Saturday, November 19, 2022. The ferry first entered service 57 years ago in 1965, and for the majority of that time served the same run through the Southern Gulf Islands. 

Locals know it as Route 5, a tentacular connection between Vancouver Island, Pender, Mayne, Galiano and Saturna Islands. According to BC Ferries, crew aboard the Mayne Queen are family and "quick to jump a car that won't start or return to work in emergency situations." Island legend suggests "the Mayne Queen may have even reversed course a time or two for a backpack, accidentally left behind by a child rushing to school." 

FAREWELL TOUR SCHEDULE

The Mayne Queen will be at the following ports on Sunday, November 20. Community members are welcome to board the vessel as walk-ons for a short visit, but must disembark before it departs for its next stop. No passengers or vehicles will be carried from port to port.

Otter Bay (Pender)            1:50-2:20 pm

Lyall Harbour (Saturna)    2:55-3:25 pm

Village Bay (Mayne)         4:00-4:30 pm

Sturdies Bay (Galiano)      4:55-5:25 pm

Photo courtesy BC Ferries

BC FERRIES NAMES AND CHRISTENS FIFTH ISLAND CLASS FERRY

BC Ferries' fifth Island Class ferry as it departed Damen Shipyards in Galati, Romania bound for British Columbia. Photo Credit: BC Ferries

BC Ferries revealed the name of its latest Island Class ferry at a naming and hull christening ceremony at its fleet maintenance facility in Richmond, BC on December 14, 2021. Island Kwigwis is the newest vessel to join the fleet and begins service in the spring of 2022 -- allowing for two-ship operation on the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route. 

The name Kwigwis, which means 'eagle of the sea', was selected with support from the 'Namgis First Nation and celebrates the beauty of the journey and connection to coastal communities.

In keeping with maritime tradition, BC Ferries selects sponsors for each of the ships, with each sponsor bestowing good luck on the ship and protection for those who travel on them. Each Island Class ship has a community sponsor and a sponsor from the BC Ferries family.

"Island Kwigwis represents a small step on the path to fostering our relationships with First Nations, embracing our environmental responsibilities, while maintaining our commitment to the communities we serve," said Mark Collins, BC Ferries President & CEO. 

Island Class ferries have have a capacity to carry up to 47 vehicles and up to 450 passengers and crew. They are battery equipped ships designed for future full electric operation. The ships are fitted with hybrid technology that bridges the gap until shore charging infrastructure and funding becomes available in BC. The design of the new vessels, from the exterior details to the engines, reduces underwater radiated noise, lowers emission and improves customer service. 

Earlier this year, BC Ferries and the First Peoples' Cultural Council revealed Coast Salish artwork for its newest Salish Class Ferry. 

BC FERRIES AND FIRST PEOPLES' CULTURAL COUNCIL REVEAL COAST SALISH ARTWORK FOR NEWEST SALISH CLASS FERRY

Artist Maynard Johnny Jr. with his Coast Salish artwork

BC Ferries and the First Peoples' Cultural Council have revealed the design for the Salish Heron. As the fourth vessel of the Salish Class ferries -- the first three were built in 2016 -- the Salish Heron will enter service in the spring of 2022 in the Southern Gulf Islands. 

Maynard Johnny Jr. of the Penelakut First Nations created the artwork, which was selected from 36 submissions. Criteria for selection included artistic excellence; Coast Salish artistic style; and the ability to express the vessel's name through artwork while effective using the available vessel service. 

"Herons and my people once inhabited the area in what is now known as the town of Chamainus," said Maynard Johnny Jr. "The majestic birds were once plentiful and provided the people guidance on where fish were in abundance." The BC artist explained that he created a Salish Heron using traditional Salish design with contemporary colors that have become his signature as a Coast Salish artist. "The design reflects the long beak and long neck of a Great Blue Heron and its wing, tail feathers and talon," he explained. His design will be displayed on both the exterior and interior of the vessel for travelers to view.

Salish Heron is the fourth Salish Class vessel to be bestowed with indigenous art. The name and artwork honors and recognizes the Coast Salish as the original mariners of the Salish Sea, representing both the land and culture of British Columbia. The name Salish Heron was selected during a public naming contest for the Salish Class ferries in 2015. The Salish Heron is identical to the three Salish Class ferries built for BC Ferries in 2016. The vessel has a capacity to carry at least 138 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew. 

BLACK BALL FERRY SERVICE RESUMES IN NOVEMBER BETWEEN PORT ANGELES, WA AND VICTORIA, BC

 

MV Coho arrives in Victoria, BC

Ferry service aboard the MV Coho between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC resumes on Monday, November 8, 2021. There will be two sailings a day in each direction for the remainder of 2021. The popular service between the US and Canada has not been running for the past 18 months due to COVID-19.

All travelers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and be prepared to show a proof of vaccination card or a photo of it. Click on the link for the other requirements for entering Canada from the US.

The M/V Coho arrives in Port Angeles from Victoria

Travelers may begin making reservations online or by phone the morning of Monday, October 25. 

Daily Departures

Port Angeles to Victoria: 8:20AM and 2:00 PM

Victoria to Port Angeles 10:30AM and 4:00 PM

Sailing time is 1 hour, 35 minutes

Read more about the MV Coho in a previous blog post. 

©SueFrausePhotos

BC FERRIES' BATTERY HYBRID ELECTRIC VESSEL SAILS FROM ROMANIA TO VICTORIA, BC

BC Ferries sixth Island Class ferry, pictured above departing Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania on October 11, is on its way to British Columbia. Temporarily named Island 6, it is the last in the series of newly built battery hybrid electric vessels to join BC Ferries' fleet.  

The transoceanic voyage will take approximately 60 days, depending on weather. The ship will sail under its own power for approximately 10,700 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific Coast of North America. It is scheduled to arrive at Point Hope Maritime in Victoria, BC later this year. 

Approximately one-third of the Island 6's journey is expected to be completed by using battery power, with the main engines stopped. During the voyage, the batteries will be charged by a diesel generator. But when in BC, the Island Class ferries will be able to operate as fully electric vessels once BC Ferries' terminals have plug-in recharging capabilities. 

Video of the departure may be viewed here. The arrival of this new vessel will allow for the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route to be serviced by two Island Class vessels starting in 2022. Island Class ferries have the capacity to carry at least 47 vehicles and up to 400 passengers and crew, and will allow for fleet redeployments and retirements of existing diesel-fueled vessels. 

 

MANDATORY MASKS POLICY RETURNS TO BC FERRIES

©SueFrausePhoto

Beginning August 25, regardless of vaccination status, masks will once again be mandatory aboard all BC Ferries and inside terminals for travelers 12 years of age and older. Exceptions include: 

• Travelers who are inside a vehicle or consuming food/beverages in BC Ferries' designated areas.
• Travelers with an underlying medical condition or disability that disallows the ability to wear a mask.
• Travelers unable to place/remove a face covering without assistance.
• Children under two years of age.

BC Ferries has a zero tolerance policy for abuse toward employees, which includes verbal abuse. Service will be denied to customers who abuse employees. Travel bans may be imposed. 

BC's Response to Covid 19 via the official website of the Government of British Columbia 

BC Ferries Requires Face Coverings (Masks)

©SueFrausePhoto

All passengers traveling with BC Ferries will be required to wear a face covering (mask) that covers their mouth and nose when in a situation where a physical separation of two meters (6.5 feet) can't be maintained. 

BC Ferries implements the requirement in keeping with directives and guidance provided by Transport Canada. It goes into effect on June 15, 2020 for routes longer than 30 minutes. The new requirement applies to all passengers over the age of two, including passengers traveling in a vehicle. 

Passengers will be asked to confirm they have a face covering and are willing to wear it when necessary. If a passenger answers 'no' or fails to answer, they will be unable to travel. Customers must provide their own masks -- BC Ferries will not supply them to travelers. 

BC Ferries will also continue screening all customers for COVID-19 symptoms and restrict travel to any customer who does not meet the screening requirements, as per the federal guidelines. BC Ferries is allowing customers to remain in their vehicles on all decks during the sailing and enhanced cleaning. 

NOTE ~ The U.S. and Canada are restricting all non-essential travel across its borders.  In simpler terms, the border between the U.S. and Canada is closed. 

Washington State Ferries - Start of spring sailings between Anacortes and BC delayed due to COVID-19

Washington State Ferries has delayed service between Anacortes, WA and Sidney, BC for one month.
©SueFrausePhoto

Washington State Ferries is delaying the start of its international service between Anacortes, WA and Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. The one-month delay in the start of the spring service means the ferries won't resume running until April 28, 2020. 

Note: This does not affect domestic service. WSF will continue to make its regularly scheduled domestic stops in the San Juan Islands.

Reservations made on sailings to Sidney through April 28 will automatically be canceled. Customers may make new vehicle reservations for dates after April 28 -- but be advised this date is subject to change. 

Washington State Ferries: Sailings canceled between Anacortes - Sidney, BC Nov. 12 to Dec. 8

Walk-on passengers board the MV Chelan in Sidney, BC.
©SueFrausePhoto

If you're planning on taking a ferry between Anacortes and Sidney, British Columbia on Vancouver Island, note that service is canceled November 12 to December 8, 2019.

The only two ferries in the Washington State Ferries fleet certified to sail international waters, the Elwha and Chelan, will be out of service at that time for required maintenance. Simply put, that means international service to Sidney, British Columbia is canceled for 27 days.

WSF crew will be doing maintenance work on the two boats as it's the lowest ridership of the year. Service will resume on December 9 before the busy holiday season and continue through January 4, 2020. There is no ferry service between Anacortes and Sidney during the winter schedule, January through March 2020.

All vehicle reservations for the Sidney, BC route will be canceled during the four-week period, and no-show fees will be waived. Or customers may choose to change or cancel their reservations without penalty at www.takeaferry.com.

Other ways of traveling to Vancouver Island include BC Ferries (Tsawwassen/Swartz Bay), Black Ball Ferry Line, Kenmore Air and Clipper Vacations.

Victoria's Oswego Hotel Package Includes Roundtrip Passage on MV Coho

MV Coho arrives in Victoria's Inner Harbour.

My two favorite ways to travel to Victoria on Vancouver Island are via Kenmore Air and the Black Ball Ferry Line. If you don't have a lot of time, Kenmore Air is a fast and scenic way to go. It's about a 30-minute flight from Seattle's Lake Union to Victoria's Inner Harbour. The Black Ball's MV Coho is a 90-minute sailing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria's Inner Harbour. But it's such a cool ship and a fun way to travel -- and you might even see a pod of orca like I did on a trip last summer. 

The Oswego Hotel is in a quiet residential neighborhood near the Inner Harbour.

The Oswego Hotel is offering a dandy package called Sip, Savour and Save. The package includes: 

• Round-trip ferry fare on the MV Coho
• Overnight in a one-bedroom suite
• Two (2) passes to the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
• BC wine or locally brewed craft beer 
• House-made caramel truffles
• Complimentary parking 

Package rates start at $108 per person/double occupancy for walk-ons and $152 per person/double occupancy for drive-ons. Click on the Black Ball link to book online.

A stroll along the Inner Harbour from The Oswego Hotel brings you to Fisherman's Wharf.

Photos by Sue Frause

Washington State Ferries: Anacortes-Sidney ferry returns with spring sailing schedule

Washington State Ferries in Sidney, BC with Mt. Baker in the background. Photo by Sue Frause.

Yet another sign of spring, along with Daylight Savings Time and the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival, is when Washington State Ferries switches to its spring sailing schedule. During the winter, there's no ferry service between Anacortes, WA and Sidney, BC on Vancouver Island. 

On Sunday, April 6, WSF's spring schedule goes into effect and the international sailings between the US and Canada will include one round-trip sailing per day (the summer schedule begins June 15 and includes two round-trip sailings per day).

In addition to the return of the Anacortes-Sidney route, additional changes go into effect on April 6 with WSF's spring schedule :

• Weekend inter-island service in the San Juan Islands
• Three boats serving the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route on Saturdays and Sundays
• Four mid-afternoon sailings on the Port Townsend/Coupeville route will leave 15 minutes earlier to better match the schedule of the second ferry. It will join the route on Mother's Day, May 11.
• The last sailing departing Coupeville leaves 5 minutes earlier, at 9:10 PM
• New this year are round-trip tickets available between the San Juan Islands and Sidney, BC

Passengers boarding Washington State Ferries M/V Chelan in Sidney, BC. Photo by Sue Frause.

Win a Two-Night Christmas Getaway in Victoria Aboard Black Ball Ferry Lines' M/V Coho

The MV Coho arrives in Victoria, BC. Photo by Sue Frause

Share you favorite Christmas tradition, and you could win a trip to Victoria, BC on the Black Ball Ferry Line. The Victoria Christmas Traditions Contest has a wonderful Grand Prize that includes:

• Round-trip for vehicle/driver + 1 adult + 2 children aboard the MV Coho between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC
• Two-night stay in a one-bedroom suite at the Royal Scot Hotel & Suites
• Family pass to The Butchart Gardens Magic of Christmas display (ice skating included)
• Family pass to Craigdarroch Castle, decorated in traditional Christmas style (includes gift basket with castle mugs, tea and DVD)
• Family pass to the Royal BC Museum to view the festive exhibits

Go to the entry form on Black Ball's website and share your favorite Christmas tradition (you don't need a Facebook or Twitter account to enter). The contest runs through December 4, 2013.

Vancouver Island Is Unapologetically Canadian (And You'll Be Sorry If You Don't Enter Their Contest)

Black Ball Ferry Line's MV Coho in Victoria's Inner Harbour. Photo by Sue Frause.

Vancouver Island is sorry! And they're apologizing all over the place in their clever tourism campaign. Here are a few of the things they're sorry about on their website:

• We're sorry that we've kept our best places secret so long (Nanaimo-Tofino-Sooke)

• We're sorry that you had to take a cruise to get here

• We're sorry if you've never had a Nanaimo Bar in Nanaimo

• We're sorry if you get a little wet in Tofino

• We're sorry the locals are a little "crabby" in Sooke

• But we won't apologize for the best vacation you ever had! 

Not only is it a fun and interactive website (www.youwontbesorry.com), but you can enter to win some very cool getaways. Unfortunately, I'm a bit late to the game in posting about it, and the first two prizes have already been awarded (Grant C. from Portland, OR won the Sooke Getaway and Elaine F. from Seattle won the Nanaimo Getaway). Here are the final two getaway prizes:

Tofino is located on the west side of Vancouver Island at the southern end of Clayoquot Sound
Photo by Sue Frause

Prize 3 | Tofino Getaway (Drawing August 1)

• Two-night stay at Ocean Village beach Resort
• Dinner for two at Jack's Waterfront Pub
• Marine Adventure for two with Jamie's Whaling Station
• Round-trip ferry fare for standard vehicle/driver + one adult from Black Ball Ferry Line
• $50 gas card 

Sooke Harbour House in Sooke, BC on Vancouver Island. Photo by Sue Frause.

Grand Prize | Ultimate Vancouver Island Getaway | Sooke - Nanaimo - Tofino (Drawing Aug. 31)

• Three-night stay at Sooke Harbour House
• Two adult passes for Adrena Line Zipline Adventure Tours (Sooke)
• Guided tour for two adults from Rainforest Tours (Sooke)
• Two-night stay at Coast Bastion Inn (Nanaimo)
• Dinner for two at Modern Cafe (Nanaimo)
• Two adult passes for Wild Play Elements Park (Nanaimo)
• Samples along Nanaimo Bar Trail
• Two-night stay at Ocean Village Beach Resort (Tofino)
• Dinner for two at Shelter Restaurant (Tofino)
• Marine Adventure with Ocean Outfitters (Tofino)
• Round-trip ferry fare for standard vehicle/driver + one adult from Black Ball Ferry Lines
• $100 gas card

To enter, you must be 18 years of age or older and a resident of Canada (excluding Quebec) or the United States. The contest is a joint promotion between Black Ball Ferry Line, Tourism Nanaimo, Tourism Tofino and Sooke Tourism.

Nanaimo Bar in Nanaimo, BC. Photo by Sue Frause.

Win round-trip sailing and hotel package to Victoria, BC on Black Ball Ferry Line's M.V. Coho

I'm headed to Victoria, BC this week, but am not taking the usual route. Generally, I travel aboard Washington State Ferries (WSF) via Anacortes to Sidney on Vancouver Island. Or if I want to get there quickly and am ready to splurge, I'll fly Kenmore Air from Lake Union in Seattle directly to Victoria. 

But this week's route is one that I haven't taken in more than 30 years: Black Ball Ball Ferry Line's M.V. Coho from Port Angeles, WA to Victoria, BC. It's a bit more complicated, as I have to take WSF from Whidbey Island to Port Townsend, then drive to Port Angeles. But I'm so looking forward to the 90-minute sailing. Every time I see the M.V. Coho in port at the Victoria Harbour, I'm always a bit envious that I'm not on board. She turned 50 years old in 2009 and is still lookin' good.

I'll be taking my car so I can do some exploring around Victoria. And since I'm on a 12:30 PM sailing, I'll be curious to see what food is available on the big boat. According to M.V. Coho's website, there's a cafeteria on board. Let's hope the food is better than the Washington State Ferries! I've never figured out why WSF can't ramp it up a bit in the cuisine department ... BC Ferries has far better offerings on their routes than my local boat company.

Here's a fun contest being offered by Black Ball Ferry Line. They're calling it Fall In Love Again in Victoria, and it's open to both US and Canadian residents (18 and over) until Oct. 12, 2012. Here's what you'll win if your name is selected (enter here): 

• Scenic crossing between Port Angeles, WA and Victoria, BC aboard the M.V. Coho. Valid for round-trip passage for one vehicle and two adults.
• Two-night stay at one of Victoria's Historic Inns, a group of heritage accommodations. Pick you pleasure with a $150 Visa Gift Card.
• Selection of Rogers Chocolates, a chocolate maker operating out of Victoria, BC since 1885.

M.V. Coho at Black Ball Ferry Line terminal in Port Angeles, WA
Photo by Sue Frause

Big new boat for BC Ferries the first of three new vessels

While nearby Washington State is having a sad scenario with its ferries, the boats across the border seem to be doing just fine. Yesterday, people in British Columbia saw the newest member of the BC Ferries fleet. Coastal Renaissance is the first of three new Super C-class ferries built in Germany.

Her arrival in Vancouver's Burrard Inlet created a buzz in the air, land and sea.

The 370-car ferry will sail between Departure Bay/Nanaimo and Horsehose Bay in West Vancouver in early spring. The second ferry will depart Germany in January 2008, arriving in BC in March. It will be on the Duke Point-Tsawwassen run. The last of the new trio will serve on the Swartz Bay-Tsawwassen route. All three are to be in service by summer.

The ferries are the largest double-ended ferries ever built, and are being painted with sports images to celebrate the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.

Anacortes - Sidney ferry service resumes between Washington state and Vancouver Island

Passengers walk off Washington State Ferries in Sidney, BC. Sue Frause photo.

Washington State Ferries (WSF) resumed its sailings to Sidney on Vancouver Island April 1 following its annual 12-week winter hiatus. 

To celebrate,  WSF, the City of Anacortes, Sidney, the Sidney Sister Cities Association and the Sidney Business Association hosted a day of celebration.

When traveling to Sidney, remember to bring your passport or other valid identification when traveling to Canada.