The Island Class is the largest vessel class in our fleet, with seven vessels in service and three more entering service over the next year. Together, they provide capacity for nearly 200 additional vehicles and more than 2,000 additional passengers each day.
Their introduction has enabled more frequent sailings and two-ship service on select routes, reducing wait times and improving reliability for the communities we serve.
Each vessel is battery-equipped with diesel-hybrid technology. The four newest additions to the Island Class fleet are the first in our fleet capable of operating fully on electricity once shore charging infrastructure is in place.
Four new Island Class vessels entering service
Island xwsaĺux̌ul arrived in May 2026 and Island sarlequun arrived in June 2026. Both vessels will enter service on Route 19 between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island this summer. The third and fourth vessels, Island Gwa’yam and Island K’asa, are expected to enter service on Route 23 between Campbell River and Quadra Island in early 2027.
As these vessels enter service, we will redeploy existing vessels to improve reliability and increase capacity on multiple routes. Planned changes include:
- Route 24 (Quadra Island–Cortes Island): Island Nagalis has replaced the retiring Tachek, increasing vehicle capacity from 26 to 47 and passenger capacity from 150 to 399.
- Route 6 (Crofton–Vesuvius Bay): Two-ship service is planned for 2027, increasing daily round trips and vehicle capacity.
The videos below feature yutustana:t – Gena Seward-Wilson, a hul’q’umi’num language teacher, sharing the meaning and pronunciation of the names gifted by Snuneymuxw First Nation for Island xwsaĺux̌ul and Island sarlequun, along with footage of Island xwsaĺux̌ul arriving on the coast.