Island-class ferry

The Island-class vessels were designed by Damen Shipyards Group as Damen Road Ferry 8117 E3,^[5] with input from both the public and BC Ferries. The ferries are diesel-electric hybrid-powered, measuring 80.8 metres (265 ft 1 in) long and having a beam of 17 metres (55 ft 9 in).^[2] Each ship has the capacity to hold 47 vehicles, and up to 392 passengers dependent on crewing levels. Features include a gallery deck for increased vehicle capacity, heated solariums on both sides of the sun deck, an indoor passenger lounge on the main car deck, and a small pet area. When introduced, the vessels were also the most environmentally friendly in the fleet, as they will switch from the current hybrid technology to operating fully electric when shore-side electric charging equipment is installed. In addition, the Island-class ships are extremely quiet, creating less underwater radiated noise disturbance to marine life and providing a more enjoyable sailing for passengers. BC Ferries has also said that the weather conditions tolerance of the Island class is similar to their larger major vessel classes.^[6] The vessels are double ended and are considered the minor class of the BC Ferries standardization plan.^{[citation needed]}

The first two vessels were announced in 2017 and launched in March 2019. All vessels were built by Damen Shipyards Galați for a combined cost of $86.5 million.^[4][11] Construction was completed in July, and the vessels were loaded on board a semi-submersible transport ship for the two-month crossing from Romania to Canada. They were delivered in Victoria, British Columbia, on January 18, 2020. On February 19, the vessels were christened and named Island Discovery and Island Aurora. They entered service that same year, June 10 on the Powell River – Texada Island route, and June 18 on the Alert Bay – Port McNeill – Sointula route respectively.^[12]

On November 6, 2019, BC Ferries ordered four more of the vessels, which were all due to enter service in 2022. The contract for the four new vessels was again awarded to Damen, for $200 million. Each vessel in this phase made the transatlantic voyage under its own power and a temporary name.^[13] All four vessels were later named in the Kwakwaka'wakw indigenous language, replacing their temporary numbered name. Island 3 became Island Nagalis (meaning "dawn on the land") and Island 4 became Island K'ulut'a (meaning "porpoise") on August 23, 2021.^[14] Island 5 was revealed and christened as Island Kwigwis (meaning "eagle of the sea") on December 14, 2021.^[15] Island 6 marked the completion of the second phase of the Island-class roder, renamed Island Gwawis (meaning "raven of the sea") on January 11, 2022.^[16] Originally, the new vessels were scheduled to enter service in the second quarter of 2022; however, the two vessels slated for the Quadra Island route were tentatively delayed until early 2023 due to lack of available crew. Island Kwigwis and Island Gwawis entered service and replaced Quinsam on the Gabriola Island route on April 12, 2022.^[17] Most of the Island-class vessels underwent sea trials in the Saanich Inlet, near Victoria, and in Baynes Sound before their entry to service, and spent time at both the Point Hope Shipyard and BC Ferries Deas Dock.^{[citation needed]}

The name Island Gwawis received backlash from Snuneymuxw First Nation on the grounds of discrimination after the vessel, named in another First Nations language, operated through Snuneymuxw territory. The group had been invited to participate in the naming process along with other indigenous groups.^[18]

In its first two years of service, the Island Discovery was replaced multiple times by the Island Aurora, Island K'ulut'a, and Island Nagalis on the Powell River – Texada Island route due to mechanical issues.^[19] The Island K'ulut'a also spent a brief period of time on the Alert Bay – Port McNeill – Sointula route. In preparation for dual-ship service on both Route 19 (Gabriola Island) and Route 23 (Quadra Island), the Island Aurora conducted test sailings with the primary vessel on the routes. Island Gwawis also test sailed in tandem with the Quinsam in the days leading up to the new service it would provide.^{[citation needed]}

On December 11, 2023, BC Ferries announced that it has received approval from the Ferry Commissioner to place an order for four additional Island-class vessels. These vessel are slated to begin operation in 2027 and will serve the Nanaimo – Gabriola Island and the Campbell River – Quadra Island routes. These vessels will also serve as relief vessels and can supplement the existing Island-class vessels to boost capacity on high-demand routes. When the new vessels are launched, there will be ten Island-class vessels in total, making this class the largest in BC Ferries' fleet.^[20] In January 2024, BC Ferries announced that it had awarded the contract to build the four new vessels to Damen Shipyards, who had built the existing six. The price for the contract was not made public at the time. No Canadian shipyard applied for the bid.^[21][22] On July 16, 2024, BC Ferries announced the beginning of steel cutting for the first of the four new vessels at Damen Shipyards Galați.^[23] On May 22, 2025, the first of the four new battery-equipped diesel-hybrid vessels was launched.^[24]

On November 25, 2025, the four upcoming vessels were gifted their names: The first two vessels were named by the Snuneymuxw First Nation, and the latter two were named by the We Wai Kai and Wei Wai Kum First Nations. The announcement also clarified that the first two vessels are destined for Route 23, and the latter two for route 19.^[10]