The two ferries for the new Nanaimo to Vancouver passenger ferry have left Vietnam and are on their way to Vancouver Island, and the company has set its goals for sailings to start in August.
Vancouver Island Ferry Company, the company launching the service, unveiled the cost of taking a trip on the Hullo ferries.
Comfort class comes with reserved seating on the main deck with complimentary wifi. Premium comes with free seat selection on the upper deck, high-speed wifi, priority off-boarding and USB charging ports at the seat. Business class includes the same as premium, plus a complimentary snack and beverage.
Additionally, the two ferries have been given Hul’q’umi’num names by members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation — spuhéls (spah – els) meaning wind, and sthuqi’ (sta – key) meaning sockeye salmon.
“We honour these vessels by bringing forward our connection with the sockeye salmon and the wind. We remember our kinship with them and how we respect our sacred relationship. The vessels’ names are an example of how we can also honour our way of being together as partners,” says Snuneymuxw First Nation Chief Mike Wyse.
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Pets are welcome on the sailings, but must be in a carrier on the traveller’s lap for the sailing.
There will be a fee to bring bikes on board, which has not been announced, and must be reserved online ahead of the sailing. E-bikes and electric scooters will not be permitted on the ferries.
The company is planning for up to seven daily round-trip sailings for the passenger ferries, which will go from the Nanaimo Port Authority to the Vancouver Harbour Flight Centre.
Laura Brougham
