New ferries to boost capacity for Southern Gulf Islands in 2017

There will be more space on BC Ferries' Southern Gulf Island routes next May when the corporation introduces two new LNG-capable vessels that are currently under construction in Poland.

The new ships are expected to increase capacity by 45 per cent during the peak season on the busy route, which is often booked to capacity on summer weekends.

As a result, BC Ferries has created a new schedule to take effect in May 2017 for the sailings between Tsawwassen and Salt Spring, Galiano, Pender, Mayne and Saturna islands.

The new schedule was developed after more than a year of public consultation, and will align more closely with observed day-to-day and seasonal demand, according to a BC Ferries press release.

The two new vessels, the Salish Raven and the Salish Eagle, are part of a three-vessel contract with Poland's Remontowa Shipbuilding that was first announced in 2013. They are capable of running on either diesel or liquified natural gas.

The third vessel will sail between Comox and Powell River when it comes into service.

The new schedule can be found on the BC Ferries website.