The ''Powell River''-class ferry is a
class
Class or The Class may refer to:
Common uses not otherwise categorized
* Class (biology), a taxonomic rank
* Class (knowledge representation), a collection of individuals or objects
* Class (philosophy), an analytical concept used differentl ...
of ships formerly operated by
BC Ferries
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc., operating as BC Ferries (BCF), is a former provincial Crown corporation, now operating as an independently managed, publicly owned Canadian company. BC Ferries provides all major passenger and vehicle ferr ...
. The open deck vessels were mostly used on low-to-moderate volume routes, with ''Mayne Queen'' having operated permanently on Route 5,
connecting the Outer Gulf Islands with Swartz Bay, ''Powell River Queen'' having served on Route 23,
Campbell River to Quadra Island, and ''Bowen Queen'' having been on relief duty, typically filling in on Routes 4, 5, and 9.
Differences between vessels
There are some distinctions between vessels, most obviously the different profile of ''Powell River Queen-'' instead of having two passenger lounges on Deck Three and a centre lane for taller traffic like her sisters, ''Powell River Queen'' has all that space for overheight vehicles, resulting in the different look. ''Mayne Queen'' is the only one to have ever had side loading capabilities, for use at a pier as opposed to strictly BC Ferries terminals. These were fitted at the time of manufacture, and remained until a $9 million overhaul of the entire class in 1979 when along with being stretched and re-engined, she had her side ramp capability removed.
It is still possible to see the depression in the side of the deck where the ramp once was, just behind the painted propeller warning on opposing corners of the vessel. ''Bowen Queen'' had a staffed snack bar, whereas ''Mayne Queen'' had hers removed, in favour of vending machines.
Technical details
*MV ''Bowen Queen''
** Built: Victoria, British Columbia, 1965
** Length: 84.96 m (278'9")
** Power: 3,600
** Service speed: 14 knots
** Gross tons: 1,475.68
** Car capacity: 70
** Passenger & crew capacity: 400
** Retirement: March 27, 2022
*MV ''Mayne Queen''
** Built: Victoria, British Columbia, 1965
** Length: 84.96 m (278'9")
** Power: 3,600
** Service speed: 14 knots
** Gross tons: 1,475.68
** Car capacity: 58
** Passenger & crew capacity: 400
** Retirement: November 20, 2022
** Route:
Swartz Bay
Swartz Bay, located on the north end of the Saanich Peninsula on Vancouver Island, is primarily known for being the location of one of BC Ferries' main terminals, the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal. Swartz Bay was named after John Aaron Swart, purchas ...
↔ Outer Gulf Islands
*MV ''Powell River Queen''
** Built: Victoria, British Columbia, 1965
** Length: 84.96 m (278'9")
** Power: 3,598
** Service speed: 14 knots
** Gross tons: 1,486
** Car capacity: 59
** Passenger & crew capacity: 400
** Retirement: January 17, 2023
** Route:
Campbell River ↔
Quadra Island
Quadra Island is a large island off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia, Canada. It is part of the Discovery Islands, in the Strathcona Regional District.
Etymology
In 1903, the island was named after the Peruvian Spanish n ...
See also
*
List of ships in British Columbia
The following is a list of vessels notable in the history of the Canadian province of British Columbia, including Spanish, Russian, American and other military vessels and all commercial vessels on inland waters as well as on saltwater routes up t ...
References
External links
MV Bowen Queen*
*
*
{{BC Ferry Classes
Ferry classes
1965 ships