Have you ever ridden aboard one of the B.C. Ferry Services’ big ships? Put up your paw if you have!
Gee, I guess I can put up both my paws, because I’ve travelled aboard the ferries a couple of times this year. My first trip was on a ship called the Coastal Celebration. It carries cars and trucks from Tsawwassen (on the mainland side) across the Strait of Georgia to Swartz Bay (on Vancouver Island, near British Columbia’s capital city, Victoria). These big ferries are like part of the highway: they let people bring their cars and trucks across the water, from one port to another.
The Coastal Celebration can carry over 1,600 people, plus 370 cars and trucks at a time! And, of course, at least one bear.
My second ride was aboard a ship called the Queen of Oak Bay. It can carry nearly 1,500 people, plus 360 cars or trucks on each trip. The Queen of Oak Bay goes from Horseshoe Bay, on the mainland just north of Vancouver, to Nanaimo on Vancouver Island. Here I am sitting in another lifering. Hey, if I fall overboard, I expect somebody to throw one of these toward me!
It’s a really comfortable and beautiful trip across the Strait of Georgia.
This is the waiting area at the Nanaimo ferry terminal. With so many people, cars, and trucks to keep track of, the B.C. Ferry employees work miracles keeping everything organized.
This nice guy made me feel really welcome. Hey, if you look in the background, you’ll see a ship approaching the terminal!
Coastal Celebration photo
courtesy L. Christie
Story and other photos by S.
Clouthier
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