List of BC Ferries ships

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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.

View of Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal (British Columbia, Canada) for BC Ferries

Current vessels

More information Ferries used on Official routes:, Photo ...
Ferries used on Official routes:
Photo NameClassYear built
(Rebuilt)
Auto capacityPassenger capacityNotes Route(s)
Island G̲wawis Island 2021 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on April 12, 2022 19
Island Kwigwis Island 2021 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on April 12, 2022 19
Island K'ulut'a Island 2020 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on January 17, 2023 23
Island Nagalis Island 2020 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on January 18, 2023 23
Island Aurora Island 2017–2019 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on June 18, 2020[1] 25
Island Discovery Island 2017–2019 47 300 Hybrid diesel-electric; Entered service on June 10, 2020 18
Salish Heron Salish 2020 138 600 Entered service on May 6, 2022. 9/9A (primary)
5/5A & 17 (relief)
1 (relief in exigent circumstances)
Salish Eagle Salish 2016 138 600 Entered service in mid-2017. 9/9A (primary)
5/5A & 17 (rotating relief vessel)
Salish Raven Salish 2016 138 600 Entered service on July 27, 2017. 5/5A (primary)
9/9A & 17 (relief)
Salish Orca Salish 2016 138 600 Entered service on May 16, 2017. 17 (primary)
9/9A & 18 (relief)
Baynes Sound ConnectorNone201545150First and only cable ferry owned by BC Ferries. Also operates the world's longest cable ferry route. Entered service in February 2016. 21
Northern ExpeditionNone2009115600Entered service on May 18, 2009. 10 (fall/winter)
11 (summer, fall, & winter)
Coastal CelebrationCoastal20073101604Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on November 21, 2008. 1 (primary)
30 (relief)
Coastal InspirationCoastal20073101604Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on June 16, 2008. 30 (primary)
1 (relief)
Coastal RenaissanceCoastal20073101604Formerly the world's largest double-ended ferries. Built in Germany. Entered service on March 8, 2008. 2 (primary)
1 & 30 (relief)
Northern AdventureNone200487600Purchased in late-2006 to replace the sunken Queen of the North. 10 (spring/summer)
11 (spring)
Northern Sea WolfNone200035150Purchased in 2017.[2] 28A (primary)
28 (summer)
Skeena QueenCentury199792450Entered service in 1997. 4
Spirit of Vancouver IslandSpirit1994 (2018–2019)3582100Converted to marine diesel and LNG in 2018. Entered service in 1994.[3] 1
Spirit of British ColumbiaSpirit1993 (2017–2018)3582100Converted 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
Malaspina SkyI2008112450Entered 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
Queen of CumberlandI1992 (2016)112462Entered service in late 1992. 5/5A (primary)
4, 7, & 8 (relief)
Queen of CapilanoI1991 (2015)100460Auto capacity increased from 85 in 2015. Entered service in June 1991. Was temporarily down for upgrades in 2024. 8
QuinsamQ1982 (2010)63400Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 6
QuinitsaQ1977 (2008)44394Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 21 & 22 (summer/relief)
6 & 19 (relief)
Queen of Oak BayC1981 (2005)3081494Entered service in 1981. 2 (primary)
3 (relief)
Queen of SurreyC1981 (2006)3081494Entered service in 1981. 3 (primary)
2 (fall/winter)
Queen of CoquitlamC1976 (2003)3161494Entered service in 1976. 2 (spring/relief)
3 (spring, summer/relief)
Queen of CowichanC1976 (2004)3121494Entered service in 1976. 2 (year round)
3 (fall/winter/relief)
Queen of AlberniC1976 (1984/2007)2801200Upper car deck added in 1984. Entered service in 1976. 30 (primary) (secondary out of Departure Bay / Nanaimo in Summer)
2 & 3 (fall, Labour Day weekend to Canadian Thanksgiving weekend)
Unnumbered one-way Tsawwassen to Departure Bay route[6]
Pune'luxutthK1985 (2006)26269Purchased in 2006. Vessel was formerly known as Kuper, and was renamed in the spirit of reconciliation, on December 1, 2023.[7] 20
KwunaK197516154Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 26
KahlokeK197321200Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 21 (summer)
22 (spring, fall, & winter)
12 & 20 (relief)
KlitsaK197219195Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 12
Quadra Queen IIT1969 (2010)26293Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. Will be retired in March 2026. 21, 24, & 25 (relief)
TachekT1969 (2011)26243Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. 24
Queen of New WestminsterV 1964 (1973/ 1991/ 2009) 254 1332 Entered service on August 4, 1964. 1 (primary)
30 (relief in exigent circumstances)
Stormaway III 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).
Stormaway IV 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)
Nicola (also known as Spirit of Lax Kw' alaams)N196016133Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985
Owned by but not operated by BC Ferries.
Unnumbered Route (Operated by the Lax Kw'alaams First Nation).
Centurion VII 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.).
Spirit of Yalis 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.).
Uchuck III None 1942 0 100 Owned and operated by Get West Adventure Cruises, under the sponsorship of Ferries. 53 (Operated by Get West Adventure Cruises).
Frances Barkley None 1958 0 200 Owned and operated by Lady Rose Marine Services, under the sponsorship of Ferries. 59 (Operated by Lady Rose Marine Services).
Tsimshian Storm 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.).
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).
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).
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Former vessels

Since the 1960s, BC Ferries has retired the following ferries:[8]

More information Photo, Name ...
Photo NameClassBuilt (rebuilt)Years in serviceAuto capacityPassenger capacityNotes Route(s) servedRefs
MV QuillayuteNone19271961-196335600Acquired in Black Ball purchase 3[9]
SS SmokwaNone19461961-196646473Acquired in Black Ball purchase; named Scotian when built 3[10]
MV Jervis QueenNone19281961-196645600Acquired in Black Ball purchase, formerly named Bainbridge 3[11]
MV George S. PearsonNone19251961-196618134Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, previously named Fox Island and Wollochet 9/9A/5/5A[12]
MV Cy PeckNone1913 (1930)1961-196618135Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase; formerly named Island Princess and Daily 4[13]
MV Sunshine Coast QueenNone19521967-1976180+973Originally named Vacationland and later Père Nouvel Sank while being towed for scrap December 3, 1987 3
MV Sechelt QueenNone19471961-197683670Acquired in Black Ball purchase, originally named Chinook 3[14]
MV Langdale QueenNone1903 (1919/1926/1952)1961-197680600Acquired in Black Ball purchase, formerly named Kahloke, City of Sacramento, and Asbury Park; scrapped in 2009 3[15]
MV Dogwood PrincessNone19691969-1979030 13
MV Dogwood Princess II None 1979 (1985) 1979-2003 0 38 Received an engine upgrade in 1985 13
MV Pender QueenNone1923 (1956)1961-198040250Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, formerly named Motor Princess. Sunk and scrapped in 2003 9/9A/5/5A[16]
MV Princess of VancouverPrincess class19551985-1987150984Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet and the Canadian Pacific Railway 17
MV Queen of the IslandsNone19631963-199140400Sold in 1991, permanently moored in Mosquito Creek Marina in North Vancouver since 2009 4
MV Salt Spring QueenNone19491961-199636187Acquired in Gulf Island Ferry Company purchase, formerly named Delta Princess. Sold and renamed Golden Queen. 4
MV Vesuvius QueenNone19501962-199835184Originally named Lloyd Jones and sailed on Okanagan Lake, sold to R & G Importadora & Exportadora of the Dominican Republic in 1998 6[17]
MV Queen of SidneySidney19601960-2000138989First vessel built by BC Ferries, abandoned in 2000 1
MV Queen of VictoriaV1962 (1970/1981)1962-20002861360Stretched in 1970, upper deck added in 1981 to increase capacity; sold to R & G Importadora & Exportadora of the Dominican Republic in 2001 1[18]
MV PacifiCat ExplorerPacifiCat19981998-20002351000Video documentary filmed about the ship's construction 2
MV PacifiCat DiscoveryPacifiCat19991999-20002351000 2
MV PacifiCat VoyagerPacifiCat2000Never2351000Would have entered service in 2000 2
MV Albert J. SavoieN19611985-200216133Formerly part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' saltwater ferry fleet 22
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] None
MV Queen of the NorthNone19691974-2006115650Purchased from Stena Line in 1974; formerly named Queen of Surrey and Stena Danica; sank in Wright Sound on March 22, 2006 10/11
MV Queen of EsquimaltV1963 (1969/1982)1963-20083761630Stretched in 1969, upper deck added in 1982 to increase capacity 1[20]
MV Queen of TsawwassenSidney19601960-2008128640 1/2/5/5A/9/9A[21]
MV Queen of SaanichV1962 (1972/1982)1962-20083601672Stretched in 1972, upper deck added in 1982 to increase capacity 1
MV Queen of VancouverV1962 (1972/1981)1962-20093381670Stretched in 1972, upper deck added in 1981 to increase capacity 1[22]
MV Queen of Prince RupertNone19651965-200980510Last BC Ferry built at Victoria Machinery Depot 10/11
MV Mill BayNone19561969-201116136Acquired in 1969 purchase of Coast Ferries 12
MV Queen of ChilliwackNone19781991-2015115400Acquired by Goundar Shipping in 2015 7/28/28A/40
MV TenakaNone19641985-201624244Acquired by Lady Rose Marine Services in 2016 24
MV Queen of BurnabyBurnaby1965 (1972)1965–1994; 2000-2017168904Stretched in 1972 to increase capacity 17
MV Queen of NanaimoBurnaby1964 (1974)1964-20171641163Stretched in 1974 to increase capacity 9/9A
MV Howe Sound QueenNone19641971-201952300Purchased in 1971. Sold at an auction for CA$210,000 in 2019 6[23]
MV NimpkishN19731985-20201295Transferred to BC Ferries in 1985 28/28A/40
MV North Island PrincessNone1958 (1971)1969–1977; 1985-202038150Acquired in 1969 purchase of Coast Ferries; Transferred to Ministry of Transportation & Highways in 1977 and back to BC Ferries in 1985; currently for sale. 18[24][25]
MV Bowen QueenPowell River1965 (1979)1965-202261400Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity 3/6/8/9/9A/19/23
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. 5/5A
MV Powell River Queen Powell River 1965 (1979) 1965-2023 59 408 Stretched in 1979 to increase capacity. Currently for sale. 23
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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]

More information Photo, Name ...
Photo NameClassYear built
(Rebuilt)
Auto capacityPassenger capacityNotesRoute(s)
All four ships will be identical to the existing Island-class vessels (see above). Island class 2nd Batch:

MV Island xwsaĺux̌ul MV Island sarlequun MV Island Gwa’yam MV Island K’asa

Island 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 T-class vessels.[29] On November 25, 2025, the four 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.[30] 23 & 19
New Major Vessel 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 Queen of New Westminster, as well as the five C-class vessels. The ships were designed in collaboration with LMG Marin, a Norwegian engineering services company.[31] BC Ferries commenced the bidding process to find a shipyard to build the vessels, in November 2023.[32] On June 10, 2025, BC Ferries announced that they had partnered with China Merchants Industry Weihei Shipyards to build the first four vessels.[33] 1, 2, 3, 30, and 1 relief vessel
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See also

References

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