BC Ferries

Thanks to the dedication of BC Ferries crew members on board the Northern Sea Wolf, led by Chief Steward Paul Dexter and Third Engineer Jamie Neil, along with community partners and the Last Post Fund, four WWI veterans laid to rest in Ocean Falls have new headstones, ensuring their memory endures. This act of remembrance keeps their service and sacrifice alive.    Read more about how this initiative united coastal communities to honour their legacy: https://ow.ly/CQCx50U1QcE   The entire effort was for four Canadian Veterans who served with the Canadian Expeditionary Force during WWI: Pte. Oscar Breault (1895-1922), 1st Depot Bn, BCR Pte. William Robert Bruce (1884-1934), 102nd Bn Pte. Donald Alexander Robinson (1896-1943), 2nd Bn CMGC P Pte. William Hawthorne (1888-1944), 152nd Bn   #LestWeForget

#BCFNews This morning, we celebrated the keel laying of the first two of four fully electric Island Class vessels at Damen Shipyards - a key milestone moving us closer to launching zero-emission ferries by 2027. This milestone underlines our dedication to sustainable operations, fleet modernization, and meeting growing demand. The keel laying ceremony is a time-honoured shipbuilding tradition marking a critical phase in a vessel’s assembly. Our CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, welded a Canadian coin onto the central frame of each vessel, a symbol of good fortune for the ship and future passengers. The 1 oz pure silver coins depict a pod of five orcas, reflecting the beauty of Canada’s west coast, where the ferries will sail. These fully electric vessels will serve routes between Nanaimo and Gabriola Island, and Campbell River and Quadra Island, carrying up to 390 passengers and 47 vehicles with zero emissions by utilizing renewable shore power for battery charging. They will replace older vessels and expand our Island Class fleet, which already includes six hybrid diesel-battery electric ferries. Scheduled to begin arriving by 2027, these fully electric vessels are a critical step in our journey to reduce corporate emissions by 2030. The four new electric ferries will eliminate approximately 10,000 tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually, advancing our transition from hybrid to fully electric operations as renewable shore power infrastructure becomes more accessible. "The keel laying is a significant milestone - not just in the construction of these ships, but in our journey to provide enhanced capacity and service reliability for our customers while moving toward a cleaner, more sustainable fleet." – Nicolas Jimenez, President & CEO Learn more: ow.ly/b3lT50TY8Lv

We are beyond proud to celebrate Hardeep Parmar who was honoured yesterday with the Victoria Hospitality Award from the Destination Greater Victoria team and the Mayor of Central Saanich, Ryan Windsor. Greater Victoria’s hospitality industry thrives on the passion, dedication and service excellence of its people. The #VictoriaHospitalityAwards celebrate those who go above and beyond to make Victoria an exceptional destination for its residents and visitors. The nomination was made by a member of the Brentwood Bay community: "I have been on this ferries for 4 times now. I have watched this man administer excellent customer service and help tourists and locals alike. He walks the elderly off the boat. Carries off luggage and goes above and beyond duties. Today my car was broken into and I had no money to get home. Hardeep gave me money for the fare and gave me use of his phone for me to make arrangements. What a guy." Hardeep has been with #BCFerries since 2010 and has a long-standing reputation within the City of Victoria community for going above and beyond for customers and doing it with a smile and a wave. He has built long-lasting relationships with the people that see him often on the #BrentwoodBay – #MillBay route on board the #Klitsa. This is the second time Hardeep has been nominated and won this award. Our People, like Hardeep are the Heart of BC Ferries. Thank you for everything that you do. Join us in congratulating Hardeep! Learn more about the awards: https://ow.ly/5V5i50TXpNT

⛴️ Just announced - join us for breakfast on November 26th to hear from BC Ferries CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, on the company’s plans to evolve our coast’s ferry system! Jimenez will discuss how BC Ferries is preparing for the future, investing in a secure supply chain, and focusing on being an environmentally sustainable operation. This Business Leaders Breakfast is a valuable opportunity to connect with the business community and learn more about one of the world’s largest marine passenger systems! 🎟️ Get your tickets today >>> https://lnkd.in/gTZqredB 🗓️ When: Tuesday, Nov. 26 from 8am-9:30am 📍 Where: The Union Club of British Columbia

This Thanksgiving, we share our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible staff and crews, who will be spending time away from their own families and friends to ensure that you can connect with the people and places that matter most. Thank you 💙 Happy Thanksgiving from our crew to yours.

#NationalDayforTruthandReconciliation Today, as we sail through waterways First Nations peoples have travelled for millennia before us, we reflect on the profound impact of residential schools on First Nations, Inuit, and Métis from coast to coast to coast. We wear orange throughout the fleet to serve as a solemn reminder to remember the children who never came home and to acknowledge the intergenerational trauma that continues. Together, we honour the children who never returned and the Survivors, their families, and communities. Truth and reconciliation are an ongoing process, rooted in the commitment to establish and maintain mutually respectful relationships and our acknowledgement of the deep and lasting wounds caused by the history and legacy of residential schools is a critical part of this process. Let’s stand together with Indigenous peoples today and every day. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all who are in mourning. #EveryChildMatters

#WorldMaritimeDay Today, we join the global maritime community in recognizing the vital role of the people who keep us safe and moving.   Our dedicated staff and crews transport over 22 million passengers across 185,000 sailings every year along the beautiful coast of British Columbia. They connect with passengers daily, understanding the critical importance of our service to coastal communities.   📽 Recently, we visited the North Island, Central, and North Coast to chat with our teams about the unique aspects of service in their region.   On #WorldMaritimeDay, we celebrate and thank all #BCFerries staff, crew, and seafarers worldwide for their dedication to connecting people, goods, and services 💙

This week, the Cops for Cancer #TourdeCoast team joined us on board the #QueenofSurrey and #MalaspinaSky on their way to the #SunshineCoast as part of their 8-day, 800km ride to raise money for childhood cancer research and support services at Canadian Cancer Society 🙌 Our crews were presented with plaques of appreciation for supporting the epic ride with ferry travel and a donation towards #CampGoodtimes, a camp designed to foster independence, increase confidence and create an environment of understanding for children and teens with cancer. The #TourdeCoast ride ends tomorrow. So far, they have raised $514K with a goal of $650K 🚴 👏 Thank you for hitting the road to support children and families living with and beyond cancer 💙 To learn more and donate, visit the Canadian Cancer Society website: https://ow.ly/qv3A50Trase

#ICYMI This week, our CEO, Nicolas Jimenez, joined Al Ferraby on CFAX 1070 #Victoria to discuss a record-breaking summer on the coast, exciting plans for new major vessels on our busiest routes, and more. 🎧 Listen in here https://ow.ly/eb0g50TqouG   Pre-qualified shipyards will now participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process for new major vessels with contracts expected to be awarded in Spring 2025, subject to approval from the Ferry Commissioner. This represents a significant milestone in our fleet renewal strategy and efforts to increase capacity and resilience on the routes you travel on the most.   #BCFerries #NewMajorVessels

#BCFNews Today, we’re taking a major step forward in our New Major Vessel project by moving forward with procurement for the first five of seven new vessels needed for our busiest routes. Our New Major Vessels will increase system capacity by up to 24% with space for an average of 1,000 more vehicles per day. That means more time sailing, less time waiting. We’re also looking to add a new vessel to the fleet serving our busiest routes so we can better meet your expectations of reliable service, and keep people and goods moving while our communities grow. Pre-qualified shipyards will now participate in the RFP process with contracts to be awarded in Spring 2025, subject to approval from the Ferry Commissioner. Learn more: https://ow.ly/gIfZ50TooxF