Vancouver Ferry Terminal ( Swartz Bay) Upgrade
With some seven million passengers each year, it hs become evident that the ferry terminal at Swartz Bay is in need of upgrades to more efficiently handle the growing traffic.
While current discussion focuses on technical enhancements to the berths & loading ramps, there is talk of a waterfront board walk, a covered market, perhaps basketball courts, a pub, improved cycling facilities and better WiFi.
While passengers say the ferry terminal improvements are overdue, the public has expressed concern that the "amenities" money would be better spent on the improving fleet.
Debit Card Acceptance to Maximize Passenger Purchase Convenience
BC Ferries began an onboard debit card acceptance trial this week.The trial will take place on the vessel Spirit of BC travelling the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) & Victoria (SwartzBay) route.
It is expected that later this week, the other BC ferries on this route will offer the same convenience.
Popular Vancouver to Victoria Ferry Service Releases New 2019 Schedule
Scheduled to restart service in April 2019, the Vancouver to Victoria ferry (serving foot passengers travelling downtown to downtown), will commence daily round-trip service making it possible to to visit the island and return to the mainland the same day.
A same day round trip has long been a desired schedule change and
should result in a significant increase in traffic for this
passenger-only ferry service.
The Vancouver - Victoria ferry is operated by the Australian company V2V Vacations.
New Olympic Class ship for Washington State Ferry
The inaugural sailing of the Suquamish, which will carry 144 vehicles and 1,500 passengers, was successfully completed on Thursday October 04, 2018.
The Olympic Class ship is the newest newest ferry in the Washington State Ferries fleet and with both wider vehicle lanes and staircases plus 2 elevators, she will be one of the most easily accessible of the Washington State ferries.
The Suquamish meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s Tier 4 emission standards, thereby making it the cleanest vessel in the fleet.
BC Ferries to Order 5 New vessels
The newest BC ferries will be hybrid ships (with batteries on board), using liquefied natural gas as the primary fuel.
They will be quieter and have a lighter ecological footprint than any other ferries in the fleet, & they will load from both ends.
The new vessels are designed to carry between 1,600 and 2,100 passengers & crew, and 310 to 358 cars.
It is anticipated that the 1st ferry in this fleet expansion will start service in 2023.
Ferry between Homer-Kodiak Cancelled for October 09, 2018
Expected 45 knot winds with 21 foot seas, has resulted in cancellation of the 10pm, October 09, 2018 round trip sailing departing Homer to Kodiak.
It is hoped that the Tustumena will resume her schedule departing Homer for Seldovia on Thursday October 11, 2018 at 11:45am.
V2V Vacations Ferry Goes Seasonal
V2V Vacations the newest ferry service operating between downtown Vancouver & downtown Victoria has cancelled its winter sailings and determined that it can provide the best & most comfortable service on a seasonal basis.
The 254-seat, high-speed passenger-only jet ferry, travels each way between the downtown Vancouver/Victoria city cores in approximately 3.5 hours.
In 2019, a daily round trip is possible.
Although approximately priced at the same level as a Harbour Air flight, V2V Vacations bill themselves as a “mini- cruise”
V2V offer 2 classes so are able to accommodate their 1st class with a complementary full meal, wine etc.
The same is available for the standard fare paying passenger, but the meal is not complimentary.
The 2019 V2V ferry schedule will begin in April
The 1st of Two New Alaska Ferries
Named after the Alaska glacier, the Tazlina is the newest ferry in the Alaska Marine fleet.
Able to carry 300 people and 53 vehicles, the 280-foot vessel, is expected to begin Lynn Canal ferry service in May 2019.
BC Ferries adds extra Thanksgiving Sailings
To accommodate the increased travel demand between the mainland and Vancouber Island, over 80 extra ferry sailings have been added to the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay) route.
On October 5, 6, 8, and 9 there will be an extra sailings from both sides at 6:00 AM
Increasing Demand for Port Accommodation Information
Due to the increasing demand for ferry served port accommodation, ferrytravel.com will be updating each port page with a limited # of live links to local hotels, B&Bs, RV locations and Points of Interest.
If you have a favorite property or attraction please feel free to send us your recommendations (info@ferrytravel.com) so we can try to share your information.
Important to Know Vehicle Height
The BC Ferry Queen of Surrey was delayed 40 Minutes today as the result of an Asphalt truck getting stuck on the loading ramp.
Because the on/off ferry ramps rise & fall with the changing tides, it is essential to know the height of your truck when using a ferry. An extreme low tide can cause issues.
Getting stuck on the ramp can not only cause ferry delays but can be expensive to both the stuck vehicle, and the ferry - know your vehicle height prior to boarding !
BC Ferry Summer Savings
BC Ferries are discounting the passenger vehicle & driver on select sunrise/sunset sailings to either $49 or $59 OW on the Mainland -Vancouver Island routes.
(Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay; Tsawwassen-Duke Point, and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay)
Select return trips are also available for $49 on the Horseshoe Bay – Langdale route.
For more information call BCF at 1-888-223-3779
V2V Ferry Service Enjoying Great Popularity
The newest ferry service, V2V Empress, operating between Vancouver & Victoria is enjoying increasing popularity these days as sightings of the resident Orca pods in the Sailish Sea become more active.
With the ability to slow down to allow passengers to watch the Orcas, the 3hr 15min trip seems more like a mini-cruise than a ferry service.
For more information on the high-speed V2V cat call 1-800-686-0446
Prince Rupert to Alaska Sailings Cancelled for April
Prince Rupert ferry service will be as scheduled until 26 March when the ferry goes into dry-dock until the end of April.
Sailings from / to Prince Rupert and the Alaskan ports of Ketchikan, Wrangell, Petersburg, Sitka, Juneau, Haines & Skagway will resume 28 April 2018.
For updates & further information email info@ferrytravel.com
Checked LuggageEach passenger can check in up to 2 pieces of luggage: each piece to weigh no more than 50 lbs
The linear dimensions including handles and wheels, must not exceed 62” (length + width + height)
Carry-On Luggage
Limited to one piece (less than 20 lbs) without a fee:
Dimensions must not exceed 24” x 16” x 10” (including wheels and frame)
Personal Items
One personal item without a fee, can also be carried on.
e.g. Purse / Briefcase / Camera bag / Diaper bag / Small backpack / Tote bag / Standard size laptop computer case
An ongoing mechanical issue with the M/V LeConte has resulted in the cancellation of the following ferry sailings:
- the January 31 ferry sailing to Sitka
- the Feb 01 ferry sailing from Angoon and Tenakee Springs.
The M/V Tustumena Modified Schedule
The ferry schedule for January 24 thru January 27 has been modified.
Please check the website for updated information.
Storm Damage Affects M/V Columbia Ferry Sailings
The ferry scheduled to sail from Bellingham to Alaska on Friday, January 26th has been cancelled as ship repairs resulting from the recent Alaska storms are not yet completed.
Ferry service from Bellingham is expected to resume next week - February 2nd, 2018.
09 January Storm Warnings for Lynn Canal
50-knot storm force winds and predicted high seas for the Northern Lynn Canal have caused Alaska to cancel the Tuesday, January 9, 2018 Juneau-Haines-Juneau sailings on the MV LeConte.
The MV LeConte will continue regularly scheduled ferry service with her Juneau to Kake sailing, which is scheduled to depart Juneau on January 9, 2018 at 11:45pm.Alaska Just Sold the ferry MV Taku
The MV Taku - a 55 year old 352' long ferry belonging to the State of Alaska has been sold to Dubai based Jabar Al Lawz Trading.
With only a balance of $171,000 owing on the sale & the remaining paperwork to be signed, the MV Taku has completed her ferry service in Alaska and now both residents and visitors can only remember with fondness, the grand old lady who served the Ketchikan - Skagway ferry route for so many years.
The retired ferry will soon head to Seattle, then across the Pacific to the Philippines and then on to her final destination.
Whether she will be scrapped or refitted or perhaps even returned to service as a ferry, is still undecided - but either way, we wish her good luck and a Bon Voyage.
