The MV Coho ferry is out of service for more than a month for annual dry dock, according to ship operator Black Ball Ferry Line.
“And, she’s off on her last sailing before our annual maintenance dry dock period… We will miss you, COHO!” the company said in a Facebook post Tuesday, Jan. 2.
The Coho is a passenger and vehicle ferry linking B.C.’s capital with Port Angeles, WA. It’s the “only daily, year-round ferry of its kind” offering service between downtown Victoria and Washington state, according to information online.
The route is 90 minutes and 22.59 nautical miles (42 kilometres), and Black Ball describes it as “a scenic journey through the Strait of Juan de Fuca.”
In the meantime, alternative ferry transportation includes BC Ferries’ Victoria (Swartz Bay) to Vancouver (Tsawwassen) route. A ferry used to sail between Sidney and Anacortes, WA, but last February, Washington State Ferries said the international route likely wouldn’t resume until at least 2030 following a crew and vessel shortage.
READ ALSO: Sidney-Anacortes ferry service moored until 2030 amid crew, vessel shortage
The Coho, named after the silver salmon found in B.C. and Washington state waters, has been around for decades. It made its first commercial sailing to B.C.’s capital on Dec. 29, 1959, and by 2019, Black Ball said the ship had sailed more than 100,000 times, carrying around 26 million passengers.
The ship can carry up to 1,000 passengers and 115 vehicles per trip and travels at an average speed of 15 knots, thanks to twin eight-foot stainless propellers with twin rudders.
Maintenance wraps up on Feb. 7, meaning the Coho will be back in service a day later on Feb. 8, adds Black Ball.
More information about schedules, fares and booking a trip can be found online here.
Ethan Morneau
