MV Mill Bay Ferry Service and Its History

The MV Mill Bay Ferry Service has been a vital transportation link for the community for decades. It was established in 1954.

The ferry's history dates back to the early 20th century, when the Mill Bay area was first settled. The first ferry was a small wooden vessel.

The MV Mill Bay has undergone several upgrades and renovations over the years to improve its safety and efficiency.

Recommended read: MV RMS Mulheim

The MV Mill Bay has a rich history that's worth exploring. It was built in 2001 by the BC Ferries shipyard in Victoria, British Columbia.

The vessel was specifically designed to serve the Southern Gulf Islands, providing a vital transportation link for residents and visitors alike.

MV Mill Bay is 384 feet in length and has a gross tonnage of 3,044 tons, making it a significant addition to the BC Ferries fleet.

The ferry has a capacity for 485 passengers and 140 vehicles, ensuring that it can meet the demands of the busy summer season.

MV Mill Bay operates between Crofton and Vesuvius, offering stunning views of the surrounding islands and waterways.

The ferry's route takes it through the picturesque waters of the Salish Sea, providing a unique and scenic experience for passengers.

MV Mill Bay has undergone several upgrades and refits over the years, ensuring that it remains a reliable and efficient mode of transportation for the community.

The MV Mill Bay is a ferry that operates in the Bay of Fundy. It has a capacity to carry 2,000 passengers and 460 vehicles.

The ferry travels from Digby, Nova Scotia to Saint John, New Brunswick, covering a distance of approximately 17 kilometers. This route takes around 50 minutes to complete.

The MV Mill Bay is equipped with modern amenities, including a cafeteria, snack bar, and comfortable seating areas.

The MV Mill Bay made its first run in British Columbia in a significant way. It began transporting passengers and vehicles across Saanich Inlet and between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay on Vancouver Island.

Recommended read: Discovery Bay Transportation Services

W. Glenn “Red” Ryder was the vessel’s first captain. He must have had a tough job navigating the small ship.

The ferry was constructed by the shipbuilder Victoria Machinery Depot Ltd. on the island for Coast Ferries Ltd. It's impressive that they were able to build a sturdy vessel despite its small size.

The 123-foot long MV Mill Bay was small compared to other ferries, but it could still accommodate 136 passengers and 16 vehicles at any one time. That's still a decent amount of people and cars.

MV Mill Bay had a long and successful career, setting a longevity record for ferries operating in that region of Canada. It's amazing that it was able to stay in operation for 55 years.

In 2000, the Mill Bay Ferry service was almost withdrawn due to its 44 years of service causing it to wear out.

BC Ferries proposed to withdraw the service across the Brentwood – Mill Bay ferry route.

Local protests were strong and convincing, with businesses, residents, and interest groups demonstrating, writing letters, and signing petitions.

Their efforts managed to convince the government and BC Ferries to continue running the service for another 10 years.

MV Mill Bay faced significant challenges due to its age and design.

The ship's shallow draft made it difficult to navigate in certain waters.

One major issue was its lack of cargo capacity, which limited its usefulness.

MV Mill Bay underwent several changes to address these challenges, including modifications to its cargo holds and navigation systems.

She was temporarily removed from service in 2001. This was due to the need for repair, which was undeniable at the time.

The repairs took about two months to complete. During that time, she underwent refurbishment, which included replacing some worn-out sections of steel plating in the hull.

Radar was also added to the vessel. The bridge was extended as part of the upgrade.

Repairs and upgrades were done at the terminals in Mill and Brentwood Bays. The total cost, including vessel repair, came out to about 3.8 million Canadian dollars.

This was a significant investment, but it ensured the Mill Bay was seaworthy again.

Mill Bay was the smallest ship in BC Ferries' fleet, making it a humble vessel with limited passenger amenities.

The trip across the route is considerably short, which may have contributed to the lack of amenities on board.

She had washrooms, but unfortunately, they couldn't be accessed by the disabled.

For emergency purposes, Mill Bay had two life rafts at the car deck level.

The small lounge beneath the car deck was a rare space for passengers to relax.

It's worth noting that the limited amenities on Mill Bay didn't seem to deter passengers, given the short duration of the trip.

The MV Mill Bay was a small but mighty ferry, measuring approximately 123ft in length, making it the second smallest ship in the BC Ferries fleet.

It had a moderate capacity, able to carry about 16 vehicles at a time.

The ferry was designed to accommodate a decent number of passengers, with a capacity of 136 people.

Onboard, the crew consisted of just 2 members, who were responsible for ensuring the safe and smooth operation of the vessel.

Its top speed was a relatively slow 17km/h, which was likely sufficient for the ferry's routes and purposes.