Powell River-class Ferry: A BC Marine Icon

The Powell River-class ferry is a beloved fixture in BC's marine landscape.

These ferries were designed to be versatile and efficient, with a capacity to carry up to 120 vehicles and 370 passengers.

They've been a mainstay of the BC Ferries fleet since 1979, with some vessels still in operation today.

The Powell River-class ferries have a distinctive design, featuring a long, narrow hull and a distinctive funnel shape.

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The Powell River-class ferry has a rich history that dates back to the early 1960s. In 1961, the BC Ferry Authority bought out the remaining routes in British Columbia owned by Black Ball Ferry Line, marking the beginning of the Powell River-class ferry's story.

The first of its class, the Powell River Queen, entered service on June 16, 1965, with a capacity for 50 vehicles. She was initially deployed to the waters of the Jervis Inlet to sail between Saltery Bay and Earls Cove.

The Powell River Queen's sisters, the Mayne Queen and Bowen Queen, joined the fleet later that year on the Southern Gulf Islands route and the Bowen Island route, respectively. They were each built with a capacity for 50 vehicles.

In 1979, all three vessels of the class were stretched and re-engined for nine million dollars. This increased their capacities to 70 vehicles.

The Powell River-class ferry played a significant role in British Columbia's ferry service, serving various routes over the years. The Bowen Queen and the Powell River Queen were eventually re-deployed to other routes, making way for larger ferries.

Here are the three vessels of the Powell River-class ferry:

BC Ferries has launched a bidding process for four retired vessels, including the Powell River Queen, Bowen Queen, Mayne Queen, and Queen of Burnaby, all built in 1965.

These ferries have reached or are almost past their end of life, and BC Ferries is looking for companies to help with a responsible approach to disposing of them.

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The ferries are being sold due to the upcoming arrival of new Island-class vessels, which will replace the old ones.

The Powell River Queen, Bowen Queen, and Mayne Queen are approximately 278 feet long and were retired in 2022 or 2023.

The Queen of Burnaby, on the other hand, is 426 feet long and was retired in 2017.

BC Ferries has previously stated that it conducts background checks on potential buyers to ensure they recycle vessels properly.

The company is seeking cost estimates from buyers for each vessel or a combination of vessels, with pricing potentially revised in future procurement stages.

Recycling proposals must include where the vessel would be recycled, how it would be moved from BC, and the timeline, as well as compliance with international, federal, provincial, and municipal regulations for ship recycling.

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