BC Ferries #NameAFerry campaign descends into 'Queen of Delays' namecalling

BC Ferries'#NameAFerrysocial media campaign, inviting the publicto name three new intermediate class ferries, has backfired, after mockingFacebook and Twitter users hijacked the hashtag.

In a news release, BCFerries had said, "Naming the new ferries provides an exciting opportunity for B.C. residents and BC Ferries' employees to celebrate the beauty of coastal British Columbia by submitting their best vessel names."

But instead, the #NameAFerry campaign descended into namecalling, associal media users took it as an opportunity to poke fun at the oft-criticized company.

On Facebook, commentersproposed names like "Gouged, Fleeced, Hosed" or "Queen of Delays."

Others suggested "The Spirit of rip the people off" or "Broke, overcharged, crappy."

Joel Urnillleft a Facebookcomment suggesting the entire naming campaign should be scrapped,"I think its best to outsource the name calling of the ship since it was made overseasanyways."

Deborah Marshall of BCFerries responded to the criticism, telling CBC News "people are having fun on social [media] and we get it."

Marshall said she's still optimistic the company will get "thousands of great suggestions" out of the campaign.