The Mayne Queen has played many roles over its 57 years of service.
It has been a school bus, a quiet place to do taxes or pay bills and a kind of living room for Gulf Islanders to meet friends old and new, as it faithfully carried them to and from Vancouver Island for everything from grocery shopping to medical appointments.
Island residents and local businesses created bonds with crew members who forged their careers on the ferry.
To Priscilla Ewbank, who arrived on Saturna Island in 1970 on the Mayne Queen, the ferry is “elegant” and “beautiful,” with a “very human touch.”
When her late husband, John, was ill with cancer, the crew “were so good to us,” she said. “They would always come and talk to him.”
Saturday is the final day of regular full-time service for the Mayne Queen — after this weekend, it will serve as a relief ferry for B.C. Ferries — and the vessel is making special farewell stops at its Gulf Islands ports of call on Sunday, without passengers.
On Saturna, the ferry will be greeted with a banner, singing and more.
On board the Mayne Queen on Friday, Chaya Katrensky and friend Vanessa Campbell, both of Saturna, were taking nine children to play laser tag in Victoria. Their boys each marked birthdays that day and the ferry was filled with happy shrieks as the children raced around the vessel.
The loss of the Mayne Queen is “so sad,” said Katrensky. “Part of my whole Saturna experience has been the Mayne Queen.”
Katrensky, a ticket agent for B.C. Ferries on Saturna Island, was pleased to be on the ferry for one of its final regular trips. “What a great last memory to have all these kids on for a birthday party.”
Shirley Stonier, who has split her time between Saturna Island and Vancouver for 22 years, says she has ridden the Mayne Queen hundreds of times. On Friday, she sat by a front window, looking out at a million-dollar view. “It always runs,” she said. “It has been a really wonderful workhorse.”
Stonier said she prefers riding the Mayne Queen because of its extra-friendly atmosphere. “That’s been the lovely thing.”
Judy Garland, who has lived on Galiano Island for 20-plus years with husband Chuck, says many people are “quite sorry” to see the Mayne Queen retiring from the route. “It will go faster than the schedule” if need be, she said. “These are the little things you learn.”
Sitting in his truck on the ferry’s deck, Bill Jamieson of Mayne Island said the Mayne Queen is one of his favourite ferries. “She’s got beautiful lines.”
Scott Wright, also of Mayne, feels even more strongly. “I think they should keep the Mayne Queen. She is a fast boat, she’s almost always on time and she can sail in all weather.”
Up on the bridge, crew members had a vast view of calm silver waters, bordered by small islands and clear skies on Friday.
They work as a team, sharing tasks and responsibilities, and it’s clear they have a sense of ownership and pride in the ferry.
Capt. Roderick Weir recently moved to the Southern Gulf Islands route from Nanaimo. He will be working on the Queen of Cumberland, so will continue to see many regular travellers on the route.
Deckhand Sim Schmidt likes working on the smaller ferries.“We get to do everything.”
Passengers often arrive with a box of doughnuts for the crew, he said. One tow-truck driver ran a bubble-maker in the summer off his truck to entertain youngsters.
Quartermaster Porus Satha, who works on all ferries out of Swartz Bay, said the Mayne Queen is his favourite and he, too, enjoys the team atmosphere.
He points out the many high-tech electronic features on the bridge, saying the ferry is easy to maneuver.
Clayton Erickson, a deckhand and quartermaster, loves that “you get either a sunrise or a sunset every day.”
When motorists come onto the ship, he says, “It’s just like you are down there with your friends.” People will call out and wave, saying: “Hey there, how are you doing?”
Ask mate Kyle Luchsinger what he likes about his job and he stands wordless on the bridge, spreading his arms out wide to demonstrate the 360-degree view of surrounding islands and quiet waters.
FAREWELL TOUR SCHEDULE
During the Mayne Queen’s Sunday farewell tour, community members are invited to walk on board the vessel for a short visit, although it won’t be carrying any passengers or vehicles from port to port.
Stops are planned at:
• Otter Bay (Pender Island) 1:50 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
• Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island) 2:55 p.m. – 3:25 p.m.
• Village Bay (Mayne Island) 4:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
• Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island) 4:55 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.
MAYNE QUEEN FACTS
Built: 1965
Where: Victoria Machinery Depot, Victoria.
Length: 278.7 feet (84.96 metres)
Car capacity: 58
Passenger and crew capacity: 400
Maximum speed: 14.5 knots
