BC Ferries facts for kids

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British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.

Trade name	BC Ferries
Type	Organized as a privately held company, with the provincial Crown as sole shareholder
Industry	Transportation
Founded	Victoria, British Columbia (June 15, 1960)
Headquarters	Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Key people	Joy MacPhail, Chair Nicolas Jimenez, President & CEO
Products	Ferry service
Revenue	C$769.5 million (2023)
Operating income	(7.070) million (2023)
Net income	C$1.842 million (2021)
Owner	BC Ferry Authority (Government of British Columbia)
Number of employees	4,500 (2017)

BC Ferries is a large Canadian company that runs ferry services. It helps people and vehicles travel between the mainland and islands along the coast of British Columbia. BC Ferries started in 1960. It is now the biggest passenger ferry line in North America.

The company has 41 ships. These ships can carry over 27,000 passengers and crew. They serve 47 different places along the B.C. coast. The government helps pay for BC Ferries. This ensures that important ferry routes are available for everyone. Ferries on B.C.'s rivers and lakes are run by other companies.

How BC Ferries is Organized

When BC Ferries first started, it was part of the government. It changed names a few times over the years. In 2003, the government decided to change BC Ferries. It became a private company, but the government still owns it. This change was made to help with the company's debts. The government's BC Ferry Authority now holds the main share of the company.

The Story of BC Ferries

In 1958, a strike by ferry workers caused problems. The government of British Columbia decided to create its own ferry service. This new service was called BC Ferries. It was meant to make sure people could always travel by ferry. Phil Gaglardi, a government minister, helped the new company grow quickly.

BC Ferries began in 1960 with two ships. Their first route was between Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island and Tsawwassen in Delta. Over the next few years, BC Ferries grew a lot. It took over other private ferry companies. As more people needed ferry service, BC Ferries built many new ships.

To carry even more people and cars, BC Ferries had a special plan. They called it the "stretch and lift" program. They cut some ships in half and made them longer. Some were even cut again and made taller! Most of BC Ferries' ships were built right in B.C. For many years, BC Ferries used a special flag with a dogwood flower. This earned them the nickname "the Dogwood Fleet."

In the 1990s, the government tried to build three "fast ferries." These ships were supposed to be quicker. However, they had many problems and cost a lot more money than planned. The fast ferries were eventually sold in 2003.

In 2004, there was a discussion about building new ships. BC Ferries decided to have three new ships built in Germany. This decision saved money, but some people wanted the ships built in B.C. to create local jobs. The first of these new ships, the Coastal Renaissance, started service in 2008.

In 2012, BC Ferries announced some changes. They cut many ferry trips on busy routes. This was part of a plan to save money. For a few years, free ferry trips for seniors were also stopped.

In 2014, BC Ferries announced new ships. They added three new Salish class class ferries. These ships use liquefied natural gas (LNG) and marine diesel. They are part of a plan to make the ferry fleet more standard. This means having fewer types of ships. The goal is to have only five main types of ships in the future.

How Many People Use the Ferries?

BC Ferries uses route numbers for its services. Most routes carry both vehicles and passengers. Route 13 and the "Unregulated Routes" are for foot passengers only. The graphs below show how many vehicles and passengers have used each route over the years.

Route 1 – Georgia Strait South: Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen

Route 2 – Georgia Strait Central: Nanaimo to Horseshoe Bay

Route 3 – Howe Sound: Langdale to Horseshoe Bay

Route 4 – Satellite Channel: Swartz Bay to Saltspring Island

Route 5 – Swanson Channel: Swartz Bay to the Southern Gulf Islands

Route 6 – South Stuart Channel: Crofton to Saltspring Island

Route 7 – Jervis Inlet: Earls Cove to Saltery Bay

Route 8 – Queen Charlotte Channel: Horseshoe Bay to Bowen Island

Route 9 – Active Pass Shuttle: Tsawwassen to the Southern Gulf Islands

Route 10 – Inside Passage: Port Hardy to Prince Rupert

Route 11 – Hecate Strait: Prince Rupert to Haida Gwaii

Route 12 – Saanich Inlet: Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay

Route 13 – Thornbrough Channel: Langdale to Gambier Island and Keats Island (Foot passengers only)

Route 17 – Georgia Strait North: Powell River to Comox

Route 18 – Malaspina Strait: Powell River to Texada Island

Route 19 – Northumberland Channel: Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island

Route 20 – North Stuart Channel: Chemainus to Thetis Island and Penelakut Island

Route 21 – Baynes Sound: Buckley Bay to Denman Island

Route 22 – Lambert Channel: Denman Island East to Hornby Island

Route 23 – Discovery Passage: Campbell River to Quadra Island

Route 24 – Sutil Channel: Quadra Island to Cortes Island

Route 25 – Broughton Strait: Port McNeill to Alert Bay and Sointula

Route 26 – Skidegate Inlet: Skidegate to Alliford Bay

Route 28 – Central Coast Connector: Port Hardy to Bella Coola

Route 30 – Mid-Island Express: Nanaimo to Tsawwassen

Other Ferry Routes

These routes are for foot passengers only. They are run by other companies but are supported by BC Ferries.

Route 25u – Broughton Strait: Port McNeill to Alert Bay and Sointula. This acts like a water taxi or school ferry.
Route 51 – Vancouver Island West: Ahousat to Hotsprings Cove and Tofino.
Route 53 – Vancouver Island Northwest: Kyuquot to Tahsis and Gold River.
Route 54 – Inside Passage: Dodge Cove to Prince Rupert.
Route 55 – Georgia Strait North-Central: French Creek to Lasqueti Island.
Route 59 – Vancouver Island West: Bamfield to Kildonan and Port Alberni.
Route 60 – Inside Passage: Hartley Bay to Kitkatla, Oona River, Metlakatla, and Prince Rupert.
Unnumbered Route – Inside Passage: Prince Rupert to Port Simpson. This route is run by the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation.

Ferry Maps

These maps show the different ferry routes. The numbers in blue circles are the route numbers.

Zone 1 – Southern Gulf Islands
Zone 2 – Central Georgia Strait
Zone 3 – Northern Georgia Strait
Zone 4 – Queen Charlotte Sound
Zone 5 – North Coast

The BC Ferries Fleet

BC Ferries has the largest fleet of vehicle ferries in the world. They have over 45 ships. These range from small water taxis to huge ferries that can carry 358 cars. All their ships are "roll-on/roll-off" ferries. This means vehicles can drive right onto and off the ship. Many of the larger ships are built using similar designs.

Current Ships

Name	Class	Year built (Rebuilt)	Auto capacity	Passenger capacity	Notes	Route(s)	Photo
Island Gwawis	Island	2021	47	300	Hybrid diesel-electric; Started service on April 12, 2022	19
Island Kwigwis	Island	2021	47	300	Hybrid diesel-electric; Started service on April 12, 2022	19
Island K'ulut'a	Island	2020	47	300	Hybrid diesel-electric; Started service on January 17, 2023	23
Island Nagalis	Island	2020	47	300	Hybrid diesel-electric; Started service on January 18, 2023	23
Island Aurora	Island	2017–2019	47	300	Hybrid diesel-electric; Started service on June 18, 2020	25
Island Discovery	Island	2017–2019	47	300	Hybrid diesel-electric; Started service on June 10, 2020	18
Spirit of British Columbia	Spirit	1993 (2017–2018)	358	2100	Uses marine diesel and LNG. Started service in 1992.	1
Spirit of Vancouver Island	Spirit	1994 (2018–2019)	358	2100	Uses marine diesel and LNG. Started service in 1994.	1
Coastal Renaissance	Coastal	2007	310	1604	Built in Germany. Started service on March 8, 2008.	2 1 (relief)
Coastal Inspiration	Coastal	2007	310	1604	Built in Germany. Started service on June 16, 2008.	30 1 (relief)
Coastal Celebration	Coastal	2007	310	1604	Built in Germany. Started service on November 21, 2008.	1 30 (relief)
Queen of Coquitlam	C	1976 (2003)	316	1494	Started service in 1976.	2 (spring, relief) 3 (spring, summer/relief)
Queen of Cowichan	C	1976 (2004)	312	1494	Started service in 1976.	2 (year round) 3 (fall, winter)
Queen of Alberni	C	1976 (1984/2007)	280	1200	Upper car deck added in 1984. Started service in 1976.	30 (main vessel), (secondary in summer) 2 & 3 (fall)
Queen of Oak Bay	C	1981 (2005)	308	1494	Started service in 1981.	2
Queen of Surrey	C	1981 (2006)	308	1494	Started service in 1981.	3 (year round) 2 (fall, winter)
Queen of New Westminster	None	1964 (1973/ 1991/ 2009)	254	1332	Started service on August 4, 1964.	1 30 (If other vessels are unavailable)
Salish Orca	Salish	2016	138	600	Started service on May 16, 2017.	17 (primary) 9 (relief)
Salish Eagle	Salish	2016	138	600	Started service in mid-2017.	5, 9, 9A, 17, 18 (rotating relief vessel)
Salish Raven	Salish	2016	138	600	Started service on July 27, 2017.	9 (primary) 5, 17 (relief)
Salish Heron	Salish	2020	138	600	Started service on May 6, 2022.	9 (primary) 5, 17 (relief) 1 (relief in special cases)
Northern Expedition	None	2009	115	600	Started service on May 18, 2009.	10 (fall, winter) 11 (summer, fall, winter)
Northern Adventure	None	2004	87	600	Bought in 2006 to replace the sunken Queen of the North.	10 (spring, summer) 11 (spring)
Queen of Capilano	I	1991 (2015)	100	462	Car capacity increased in 2015. Started service in June 1991.	8
Queen of Cumberland	I	1992 (2016)	112	462	Started service in late 1992.	5 4, 7, 8 (relief)
Malaspina Sky	I	2008	112	450	Started service in February 2009. Renamed in 2019.	7
Skeena Queen	Century	1997	92	600	Started service in 1997.	4
Quinitsa	Q	1977 (2008)	44	394	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	22 (summer, relief other times) 6, 19, 21 (relief)
Baynes Sound Connector	None	2015	45	150	The first and only cable ferry for BC Ferries. Started service in February 2016.	21
Quinsam	Q	1982 (2010)	63	400	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	6
Quadra Queen II	T	1969 (2010)	26	293	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	relief on routes 24 & 25
Tachek	T	1969 (2011)	26	243	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	24
Klitsa	K	1972	19	195	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	12
Kahloke	K	1973	21	200	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	21 (summer) 22 (spring, fall, winter) 12, 20 (relief)
Kwuna	K	1975	16	154	Joined BC Ferries in 1985.	26
Pune'luxutth	K	1985 (2006)	26	269	Bought in 2006. Renamed in 2023.	20
Nicola (also known as Spirit of Lax Kw' alaams)	N	1960	16	133	Joined BC Ferries in 1985. Not operated by BC Ferries.	Unnumbered Route (Operated by the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation).
Northern Sea Wolf	None	2000	35	150	Bought in 2017.	28A (year round) 28 (summer)
Stormaway III	None	n/k	0	40	Operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Limited since 2003.	13 (Operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Ltd).
Stormaway IV	None	n/k	0	40	Operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Limited since 2010.	13 (Operated by Kona Winds Yacht Charters Ltd).
Centurion VII	None	1985	0	60	Operated by Western Pacific Marine since 2011.	55 (Operated by Pacific Western Marine Ltd).
[[MV Spirit of Yalis	Spirit of Yalis ]]	None	n/k	0	n/k	Operated by Western Pacific Marine as a water taxi/school trip ferry.	25u (Operated by Western Pacific Marine Ltd).
[[MV Uchuck III	Uchuck III ]]	None	1942	0	100	Operated by Get West Adventure Cruises.	53 (Operated by Get West Adventure Cruises).
[[MV Frances Barkley	Frances Barkley ]]	None	1958	0	200	Operated by Lady Rose Marine Services.	59 (Operated by Lady Rose Marine Services).
[[MV Tsimshian Storm	Tsimshian Storm ]]	None	n/k	0	n/k	Owned by local communities. Operated by the Gitxaala First Nation.	60 (Operated by the Gitxaala First Nation).
Various vessels	None	n/k	0	n/k	Operated by various water taxis.	51 (Operated by various water taxis).
Various vessels	None	n/k	0	11-100	Operated by West Coast Launch.	54 (Operated by West Coast Launch).

Future Ships

BC Ferries plans to add more new ships. They are working on a $200 million plan. This plan includes four new hybrid-electric ferries. These ships can use both diesel and electricity. They can even be fully electric in the future. These new ships will serve routes connecting Vancouver Island to Saltspring Island, Denman Island to Hornby Island, and Quadra Island to Cortes Island.

BC Ferries also plans to get seven larger ships. These will replace older ships and help with growing demand. The first of these big new ships is expected to start service in 2029. They will also be hybrid-electric. These new large ships will serve the main routes between Vancouver Island and the mainland.

Name	Class	Year built (Rebuilt)	Auto capacity	Passenger capacity	Notes	Route(s)	Photo
Island class 2nd Batch	Island	0TBA	47	400	Four BC-built ships that are hybrid electric. They can become fully electric later.	24, 22, 6, and 1 relief vessel	All four ships will be identical to the existing Island-class vessels (see above).
New Major Vessel	0TBA	2029–2035	~ 360	~ 2,100	At least seven hybrid-electric ships. They can become fully electric later.	1, 2, 3, 30, and 1 relief vessel

Ferry Incidents

Sometimes, things happen with BC Ferries ships or at the terminals. Here are some past incidents.

Queen of Alberni

In 1979, the Queen of Alberni hit the ground near Galiano Island. No one was hurt, but some vehicles were damaged.
In 1989, the ship crashed into a loading dock. Six people had minor injuries.
In 1992, the Queen of Alberni collided with a Japanese ship in thick fog. Both ships had minor damage. Some people on the ferry had minor injuries.

Queen of Burnaby

In 1966, the Queen of Burnaby broke free from its dock. This happened because the engines were left running incorrectly.

Queen of Coquitlam

In 1980, the Queen of Coquitlam was damaged while in a drydock.
In 1995, the ship lost power and hit the dock at Horseshoe Bay.

Queen of Cowichan

In 1985, the Queen of Cowichan ran over a small boat. Three people in the boat died.
In 2018, the ship helped rescue a person who went overboard near Bowen Island.
In 2019, a crew member was hurt by a bow door.
In 2021, police were called because two passengers refused to wear masks.

Queen of Cumberland

In 2018, crew members were hurt during a safety drill. A rescue boat fell into the water from 11 meters high.

Queen of the Islands

In 1978, the Queen of the Islands hit the Saltery Bay dock, causing damage.

Queen of Nanaimo

In 2013, the Queen of Nanaimo was pushed off course by bad weather. It damaged a private dock.

Queen of New Westminster

In 1971, the Queen of New Westminster left the dock while cars were still loading. A car with two people fell into the water, but they were rescued.
In 1992, a similar incident happened. A van with six people fell from the upper deck into the water. Three people died, including two children. An investigation found that the ferry did not follow proper procedures.

Queen of the North

In 1974, the Queen of Surrey (later renamed Queen of the North) had a fire in an electrical panel.
In 2006, the Queen of the North sank after hitting Gil Island. Two people were reported missing. Officials said it was due to human error by the crew.

Queen of Oak Bay

In 2005, the Queen of Oak Bay lost power before docking. It drifted and hit a marina, damaging many small boats. No one was hurt. An investigation found that a small part, a "cotter pin," was missing. This caused the engine system to shut down.

Queen of Prince Rupert

In 1982, the Queen of Prince Rupert went through a dangerous shortcut. It hit the ground twice. Passengers had to wait 12 hours for help.

Queen of Saanich

In 1992, the Queen of Saanich collided with another boat in heavy fog. Some passengers had minor injuries.

Queen of Surrey

In 1982, the Queen of Surrey hit the Horseshoe Bay dock.
In 2003, the ship had an engine room fire. No passengers were hurt, but some crew had minor injuries.
In 2019, the ship hit a terminal structure while docking. This caused long delays.

Queen of Victoria

In 1970, a Soviet ship collided with the Queen of Victoria. Three people died. The Soviet government paid for the damage.
In 1972, the Queen of Victoria had an engine room fire.

Langdale Queen

In 1966, the Langdale Queen ran over a rowboat. Both people in the rowboat survived.

Mayne Queen

In 1995, the Mayne Queen crashed into a marina. It damaged a dock and 12 small boats. This was due to human error.
In 1996, the Mayne Queen ran aground after losing steering control. This happened during a battery test.

Sechelt Queen

In 1962, the Sechelt Queen hit a hidden reef in fog.
In 1962, a bomb exploded in a locker on the Sechelt Queen.
In 1974, the Sechelt Queen collided with a small boat but did not stop to help.

Vesuvius Queen

In 1983, the Vesuvius Queen hit and damaged the Saltspring Island dock.

Spirit of British Columbia

In 2005, a man jumped off the ferry near Active Pass. He was later banned from BC Ferries.
In 2019, the Spirit of British Columbia was damaged while docking in strong winds.
In 2021, the ship had to turn around because a passenger refused to wear a mask. Police gave the passenger tickets and banned them.
In 2021, three men were arrested for threatening passengers and staff about masks.

Spirit of Vancouver Island

In 2000, the Spirit of Vancouver Island collided with a small boat. The two people on the small boat later died.
In 2003, the ship hit the dock at Swartz Bay. Four passengers had minor injuries.
In 2009, a generator on the ship caught fire. No one was hurt, but it caused big delays.
In 2018, two crew members were hurt during a safety drill when a rescue boat flipped.
In 2020, the ship hit a concrete wall at the terminal.
In 2021, the ship had to turn around because a passenger refused to wear a mask. Police gave the passenger tickets.

Coastal Celebration

In 2011, the Coastal Celebration backed into the dock at Swartz Bay. No one was hurt, but it caused damage.
In 2015, a man launched a life raft and jumped overboard. He swam to an island and was arrested.
In 2018, the Coastal Celebration rescued a man from a sinking boat.

Coastal Inspiration

In 2011, the Coastal Inspiration crashed into the Duke Point terminal. One passenger and one crew member had minor injuries. An electrical problem caused the crash. The terminal was closed for five months.
In 2022, police were called because two men were causing a disturbance.

Mill Bay

In 1989, the Mill Bay hit the ground near the Mill Bay dock.

Quinsam

In 2007, the Quinsam pulled away from the dock while a pickup truck was still loading. The truck fell into the water, but the driver escaped safely.

Terminal Incidents

Departure Bay terminal: In 2014, a suspected kidnapper was arrested on a ferry. In 2018, a police shooting happened at the terminal.
Earls Cove terminal: In 2020, a BC Ferries employee helped save an elderly woman who collapsed.
Horseshoe Bay terminal: In 2017, two passengers were removed by police for misbehaving. In 2020, police were called for a man refusing to wear a mask. In 2021, a passenger ended up in the water. In 2023, a car crashed into a gate.
Langdale terminal: In 2023, a man was arrested for threatening staff and driving aggressively.
Quathiaski Cove terminal: In 2022, a man was asked to leave for directing traffic. In 2022, a man tried to board a ferry in a disguise but ran away when staff recognized him.
Swartz Bay terminal: In 2011, a man drove his truck off the loading ramp into the water. In 2023, a teenager was arrested for setting a fire in a washroom. In 2024, a man was arrested for an indecent act.
Tsawwassen terminal: In 2019, a man stole a taxi and then threatened police with a knife. In 2020, a man threw traffic cones into the ocean. Later that day, police were called for a woman refusing to wear a mask.
Fleet Maintenance Facility: In 2020, a worker died after falling into the Fraser River. An investigation found safety issues.

BC Ferries in Movies

BC Ferries ships have appeared in many movies and TV shows!

Film	Year	Vessel or class
Five Easy Pieces	1970	Mill Bay
Food of the Gods	1976	Howe Sound Queen
The Other Side of the Mountain	1978	Queen of Victoria
Shoot To Kill	1988	Queen of Vancouver
Bird On A Wire	1990	Queen of Burnaby or Queen of Nanaimo
Another Stakeout	1993	Powell River class
Mr. Magoo	1997	Queen of Esquimalt
Disturbing Behavior	1998	Queen of Capilano
Double Jeopardy	1999	Quadra Queen II
Black Point	2002	Mill Bay
Scary Movie 3	2003	Powell River class
Battlestar Galactica miniseries	2003	V class
Walking Tall	2004	Albert J Savoie
Elektra	2005	Albert J Savoie
The Mermaid Chair	2006	Mill Bay
The Suite Life Movie	2011	Northern Expedition
The Killing	2012	Queen of Capilano