List of BC Ferries ships

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File: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 official routes are roll-on/roll-off car ferries, with the exception of those used on Route 13. Most of the major vessels are based on similar designs, which are aggregated into named classes.

Current vessels

Ferries used on Official routes:
Photo Name Class Year built
(Rebuilt)		 Auto capacity Passenger capacity Notes Route(s)
File:BC Ferries Island Gwawis.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2021 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on April 12, 2022 19
File:BC Ferries Island Kwigwis.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2021 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on April 12, 2022 19
File:BC Ferries Island K'ulut'a.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2020 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on January 17, 2023 23
File:BC Ferries Island Nagalis.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2020 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on January 18, 2023 23
File:Island Aurora.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2017–2019 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on June 18, 2020[1] 25
File:BC Ferry Island Discovery.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2017–2019 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on June 10, 2020 18
File:Salish Heron departing Sturdies Bay for Southern Gulf Island.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2020 138 600 Entered service on May 6, 2022. 9/9A (primary)
5 &17 (relief)
1 (relief in exigent circumstances)
File:Salish Eagle leaving Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2016 138 600 Entered service in mid-2017. 5, 9/9A, 17, & 18 (rotating relief vessel)
File:2018-08-26 SALISH RAVEN - IMO 9750294.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2016 138 600 Entered service on July 27, 2017. 9/9A (primary)
5 & 17 (relief)
File:Salish Orca.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2016 138 600 Entered service on May 16, 2017. 17 (primary)
9/9A (relief)
File:Baynessoundconnector.jpg Template:MV None 2015 45 150 First and only cable ferry owned by BC Ferries. Also operates the world's longest cable ferry route. Entered service in February 2016. 21
File:MV Northern Expedition, Nanaimo, March 6 2009(2).jpg Template:MV None 2009 115 600 Entered service on May 18, 2009. 10 (fall & winter)
11 (summer, fall, & winter)
File:Ferry MV Coastal Celebration arrival at Departure Bay (cropped).jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2007 310 1604 Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on November 21, 2008. 1 (primary)
30 (relief)
File:Ferry Coastal Inspiration in Strait of Georgia.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2007 310 1604 Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on June 16, 2008. 30 (primary)
1 (relief)
File:Ferry Coastal Renaissance at Departure Bay.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2007 310 1604 Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on March 8, 2008. 2 (primary)
1 (relief)
30 (relief in exigent circumstances)
File:MV Northern Adventure at the Prince Rupert Ferry Terminal.jpg Template:MV None 2004 87 600 Purchased in late-2006 to replace the sunken Template:MV. 10 (spring & summer)
11 (spring)
File:MV Northern Sea Wolf.jpg Template:MV None 2000 35 150 Purchased in 2017.[2] 28A (primary)
28 (summer)
File:MVSkeenaQueen.png Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1997 92 450 Entered service in 1997. 4
File:2022-04-06 MV SPIRIT OF VANCOUVER ISLAND – IMO 9030682.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1994 (2018–2019) 358 2100 Converted to marine diesel and LNG in 2018. Entered service in 1994.[3] 1
File:BC Ferries MV Spirit of British Columbia.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1993 (2017–2018) 358 2100 Converted 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
File:2021-11-25 01 MALASPINA SKY - IMO 9370458, at BC Ferries terminal at Saltery Bay, Canada.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 2008 112 450 Entered 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
File:2022-01-07 BC Ferries QUEEN OF CUMBERLAND - IMO 9009360, at Swartz Bay, BC Canada.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1992 (2016) 112 462 Entered service in late 1992. 5 (primary)
4, 7, & 8 (relief)
File:Queen of Capilano -d.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1991 (2015) 100 462 Auto capacity increased from 85 in 2015. Entered service in June 1991. Was temporarily down for upgrades in 2024. 8
File:MV Quinsam.jpg Template:MV Q 1982 (2010) 63 400 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 6
File:BC Ferry Quinitsa cropped.jpg Template:MV Q 1977 (2008) 44 394 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 22 (summer, relief other times)
6, 19, & 21 (relief)
File:BC Ferry Queen of Oak Bay.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1981 (2005) 308 1494 Entered service in 1981. 2
File:2021-11-26 01 BC Ferries MV QUEEN OF SURREY - IMO 7902221.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1981 (2006) 308 1494 Entered service in 1981. 3 (primary)
2 (fall, winter)
File:2021-11-26 MV QUEEN OF COQUITLAM - IMO 7411155 at Horseshoe Bay, Canada.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1976 (2003) 316 1494 Entered service in 1976. 2 (spring/relief)
3 (spring, summer/relief)
File:P1030526 Queen of Cowichan.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1976 (2004) 312 1494 Entered service in 1976. 2 (year round)
3 (fall & winter)
File:Queen of Alberni arriving at Departure Bay.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1976 (1984/2007) 280 1200 Upper car deck added in 1984. Entered service in 1976. 30 (primary)
2 & 3 (fall, Labour Day weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend)
Unnumbered one-way Tsawwassen to Departure Bay route (started summer of 2025)[6]
File:BC Ferries Kuper.jpg Template:MV K 1985 (2006) 26 269 Purchased in 2006. Vessel was formerly known as Kuper, and was renamed in the spirit of reconciliation, on December 1, 2023.[7] 20
File:MV Kwuna.jpg Template:MV K 1975 16 154 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 26
File:BC Ferries MV Kahloke-b.jpg Template:MV K 1973 21 200 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 21 (summer)
22 (spring, fall, & winter)
12 & 20 (relief)
File:MV Klitsa on First Day of Service (Replaced MV Mill Bay) - panoramio.jpg Template:MV K 1972 19 195 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 12
File:Quadra Queen II drydocked 2008.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1969 (2010) 26 293 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 24 & 25 (relief)
File:BC Ferries Tachek.jpg Template:MV Template:Sclass2 1969 (2011) 26 243 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 24
File:New West in Active Pass.JPG Template:MV None

(Formerly V)

1964 (1973/ 1991/ 2009) 254 1332 Originally a Template:Sclass2 when built. Entered service on August 4, 1964. 1 (primary)
30 (relief in exigent circumstances)
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None n/k 0 40 Owned 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).
File:2021-11-26 01 MV STORMAWAY IV (Canada Registration - 346309).jpg Template:MV None n/k 0 40 Owned 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).
Ferries Used on Unofficial routes:
Photo Name Class Year built
(Rebuilt) 		Auto capacity Passenger capacity Notes Route(s)
File:Nicola PR Harbour.jpg Template:MV (also known as Spirit of Lax Kw' alaams) Template:Sclass2 1960 16 133 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985
Owned by but not operated by BC Ferries. 		Unnumbered Route (Operated by the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation).
File:Centurion VII - small.jpg Template:MV None 1985 0 60 Owned 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.).
File:MV Spirt of Yalis.jpg Template:MV None n/k 0 n/k Owned and operated by Western Pacific Marine, as a water taxi/school trip ferry, under the sponsorship of Ferries. 25u (Operated by Pacific Western Marine Ltd.).
File:Spanish Fort Site (7462036308).jpg Template:MV None 1942 0 100 Owned and operated by Get West Adventure Cruises, under the sponsorship of Ferries. 53 (Operated by Get West Adventure Cruises).
File:Frances Barkley at the port of Port Alberni.jpg Template:MV None 1958 0 200 Owned and operated by Lady Rose Marine Services, under the sponsorship of Ferries. 59 (Operated by Lady Rose Marine Services).
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None n/k 0 n/k Owned by the communities of Kitkatla, Hartley Bay, and Metlakatla. Operated by the Gitxaala First Nation, under the sponsorship of BC Ferries. 60 (Owned by the Gitxaala First Nation, operated by North Co Corp.).
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Various vessels None n/k 0 n/k Operated by various water taxi companies, under the sponsorship of BC Ferries. 51 (Operated by various water taxi companies).
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Various vessels None n/k 0 11-100 Operated 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:[8]

Photo Name Class Built (rebuilt) Years in service Auto capacity Passenger capacity Notes Refs
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1927 1961-1963 35 600 Acquired in Black Ball purchase [9]
File:SS Smokwa.jpg Template:SS None 1946 1961-1966 46 473 Acquired in Black Ball purchase; named Scotian when built [10]
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1928 1961-1966 45 600 Acquired in Black Ball purchase, formerly named Bainbridge [11]
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1925 1961-1966 18 134 Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, previously named Fox Island and Wollochet [12]
File:M-V Cy Peck - c1962 - Howe Sound.jpg Template:MV None 1913 (1930) 1961-1966 18 135 Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase; formerly named Island Princess and Daily [13]
File:Sunshine Coast Queen in Howe Sound - c1975.jpg Template:MV None 1952 1967-1976 180+ 973 Originally named Vacationland and later Père Nouvel Sank while being towed for scrap December 3, 1987
File:Sechelt Queen backing out of Horseshoe Bay - 9 September 1972.jpg Template:MV None 1947 1961-1976 83 670 Acquired in Black Ball purchase, originally named Chinook [14]
File:Langdale Queen in Howe Sound ~1975.jpg Template:MV None 1903 (1919/1926/1952) 1961-1976 80 600 Acquired in Black Ball purchase, formerly named Kahloke, City of Sacramento, and Asbury Park; scrapped in 2009 [15]
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1969 1969-1979 0 30
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1979 (1985) 1979-2003 0 38 Received an engine upgrade in 1985
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1923 (1956) 1961-1980 40 250 Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, formerly named Motor Princess. Sunk and scrapped in 2003 [16]
File:CPR Princess of Vancouver.jpg Template:MV Princess class 1955 1985-1987 150 984 Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet and the Canadian Pacific Railway
File:Queen of the Islands Delta 2008.jpg Template:MV None 1963 1963-1991 40 400 Sold in 1991, permanently moored in Mosquito Creek Marina in North Vancouver since 2009
File:Salt Spring Queen just off of Swartz Bay - 6 Oct 1972.jpg Template:MV None 1949 1961-1996 36 187 Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, formerly named Delta Princess. Sold and renamed Golden Queen.
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV None 1950 1962-1998 35 184 Originally named Lloyd Jones and sailed on Okanagan Lake, sold to R & G Importadora & Exportadora of the Dominican Republic in 1998 [17]
File:Queen of Sidney entering Westview Terminal - late Aug. 1993.jpg Template:MV Sidney 1960 1960-2000 138 989 First vessel built by BC Ferries, abandoned in 2000
File:Queen of Victoria in Active Pass - c1990.jpg Template:MV V 1962 (1970/1981) 1962-2000 286 1360 Stretched in 1970, upper deck added in 1981 to increase capacity; sold to R & G Importadora & Exportadora of the Dominican Republic in 2001 [18]
File:Pacificat Explorer.jpg Template:MV PacifiCat 1998 1998-2000 235 1000 Video documentary filmed about the ship's construction
File:BC Fast Ferries Deas Dock 2006.jpg Template:MV PacifiCat 1999 1999-2000 235 1000
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV PacifiCat 2000 Template:Sort 235 1000 Would have entered service in 2000
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg Template:MV N 1961 1985-2002 16 133 Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg MV Garibaldi II N 1964 (1977) 1985-2006 Originally 16, later reduced to 7 133+ 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.[19]
File:Queen of the North @ Prince Rupert.jpg Template:MV None 1969 1974-2006 115 650 Purchased from Stena Line in 1974; formerly named Queen of Surrey and Stena Danica; sank in Wright Sound on March 22, 2006
File:Queen of Esquimalt.jpg Template:MV V 1963 (1969/1982) 1963-2008 376 1630 Stretched in 1969, upper deck added in 1982 to increase capacity [20]
File:Queen of Tsawwassen entering Active Pass at Helen Pt. - Summer 1986 (D.O. Thorne photo).jpg Template:MV Sidney 1960 1960-2008 128 640 [21]
File:Queen of Saanich.jpg Template:MV V 1962 (1972/1982) 1962-2008 360 1672 Stretched in 1972, upper deck added in 1982 to increase capacity
File:Queen of Vancouver in Active Pass.jpg Template:MV V 1962 (1972/1981) 1962-2009 338 1670 Stretched in 1972, upper deck added in 1981 to increase capacity [22]
File:MV Queen of Prince Rupert in September 2008.jpg Template:MV None 1965 1965-2009 80 510 Last BC Ferry built at Victoria Machinery Depot
File:Mill Bay Ferry - panoramio.jpg Template:MV None 1956 1969-2011 16 136 Acquired in 1969 purchase of Coast Ferries
File:Queen of Chilliwack P1010358.jpg Template:MV None 1978 1991-2015 115 400 Acquired by Goundar Shipping in 2015
File:MV Alberni Legacy (ex Tenaka) IMG 20171231.jpg Template:MV None 1964 1985-2016 24 244 Acquired by Lady Rose Marine Services in 2016
File:Queen of Burnaby (9360078609).jpg Template:MV Burnaby 1965 (1972) 1965–1994; 2000-2017 168 904 Stretched in 1972 to increase capacity
File:Queen of Nanaimo.jpg Template:MV Burnaby 1964 (1974) 1964-2017 164 1163 Stretched in 1974 to increase capacity
File:Howe Sound Queen.jpg Template:MV None 1964 1971-2019 52 300 Purchased in 1971. Sold at an auction for Template:Currency in 2019 [23]
File:2017-06-27 Bella Bella (36284502403).jpg Template:MV N 1973 1985-2020 12 95 Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985
File:North Island Princess.jpg Template:MV None 1958 (1971) 1969–1977; 1985-2020 38 150 Acquired in 1969 purchase of Coast Ferries; Transferred to Ministry of Transportation & Highways in 1977 and back to BC Ferries in 1985; currently for sale. [24][25]
File:Bowen Queen in bound from the Gulf Islands - seen just off of Tsawwassen Terminal - 3 July 2011.jpg Template:MV Powell River 1965 (1979) 1965-2022 61 400 Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity
File:Mayne Queen.jpg MV Mayne Queen Powell River 1965 (1979) 1965-2022 58 400 Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity. Last full day of service on route 5 was November 19, 2022.
File:BC Ferry Powell River Queen viewed from side.jpg MV Powell River Queen Powell River 1965 (1979) 1965-2023 59 408 Stretched 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.[26]

Future vessels

In 2019, BC started a $200 million program to acquire four hybrid/electric ferries (800 kWh each) to service three routes.[27] 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.[28]

Photo Name Class Year built
(Rebuilt)		 Auto capacity Passenger capacity Notes Route(s)
All four ships will be identical to the existing Island-class vessels (see above). Island class 2nd Batch Template:Sclass2 Template:TBA 47 400 Four 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 Template:Sclass2 vessels.[29] 24, 22, 6, and 1 relief vessel
File:No image available 600 x 200.svg New Major Vessel Template:TBA 2029–2035 ~ 360 ~ 2,100 The 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 Template:MV, as well as the five Template:Sclass2 vessels. The ships were designed in collaboration with LMG Marin, a Norwegian engineering services company.[30] BC Ferries commenced the bidding process to find a shipyard to build the vessels, in November 2023.[31] On June 10, 2025, BC Ferries announced that they had partnered with China Merchants Industry Weihei Shipyards to build the first four vessels.[32] 1, 2, 3, 30, and 1 relief vessel

See also

References

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  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ Photos of MV Quillayute. EvergreenFleet.com.
  10. ↑ Photos of SS Smokwa (ex-Scotian). EvergreenFleet.com.
  11. ↑ Photos of MV Jervis Queen (ex-Bainbridge). EvergreenFleet.com.
  12. ↑ Photos of MV George S. Pearson (ex-Fox Island, ex-Wollochet). EvergreenFleet.com.
  13. ↑ Photo of MV Cy Peck. EvergreenFleet.com.
  14. ↑ Photos of MV Sechelt Queen (ex-Chinoook II, ex Chinook). EvergreenFleet.com.
  15. ↑ Photos of MV Langdale Queen (ex-Kahloke, ex-City of Sacramento, ex-Asbury Park). EvergreenFleet.com.
  16. ↑ Photo of MV Pender Queen (ex-Motor Princess). EvergreenFleet.com.
  17. ↑ MarineLink.com: Sale of the MV Vesuvius Queen
  18. ↑ MarineLink.com: Sale of the MV Queen of Victoria
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Times Colonist, "Queen of Esquimalt sold to buyer in China", 12 July 2008 Template:Webarchive
  21. ↑ Photos of MV Queen of Tsawwassen (ex-Tsawwassen). EvergreenFleet.com.
  22. ↑ Photos of MV Queen of Vancouver (ex-City of Vancouver). EvergreenFleet.com.
  23. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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