Two of B.C. Ferries’ newest Island-class vessels will start sharing the Campbell River-Quadra Island route beginning Jan. 18, when they replace the Powell River Queen.
Quadra Island residents have been seeking a beefed-up service for years, especially in summer when demand increases.
The hybrid Island Nagalis and the Island K’ulut’a together will offer up to 29 trips per day, up from 18, boosting service and capacity. Each can carry up to 47 vehicles and has capacity for 300 passengers and crew.
One ferry will run for 18 hours while the other will run during the 12 busiest hours of the day.
Departure times from each terminal will be similar to what exists now, B.C. Ferries said in a news release.
The new schedule was put together following consultation with the Campbell River-Quadra Island-Cortes Island ferry advisory committee.
The goal was to provide service as close to every hour and half-hour as possible, and offer two-ship service during the day to handle returning traffic from Vancouver Island.
The Island-class vessels will mainly run on diesel fuel but were built to operate solely on battery power once on-shore charging infrastructure is installed. That’s an expensive project and expected to take time to complete.
A special farewell tour is planned for the final day of service Jan. 17 for the Powell River Queen, built in 1965.
Announcements will be made on board that day explaining the vessel’s history and contribution to the fleet, B.C. Ferries said.
At the Quathiaski Cove terminal on Quadra Island, there will be a goodbye event between 3:30 p.m. and 5:50 p.m.
Displays of the ferry’s history, a guest book for signing and refreshments will be available.
The Powell River Queen’s final sailings will be from Quathiaski Cove at 5:50 p.m. and from Campbell River at 6:15 p.m. The Island Nagalis will then complete the route’s later sailings that day.
The Powell River Queen will be tied up at Buckley Bay initially. It’s for sale on the Iron Planet auction website. Built at the now-closed Victoria Machinery Depot, the ferry can carry up to 400 passengers and crew and 59 vehicles.
