For Immediate Release
July 15, 2026
Summary
VICTORIA, BC – On July 15, 2026, BC Ferries welcomed its newest Island Class vessel, Island sarlequun, in a naming ceremony recognizing the name gifted by the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The ceremony followed a long journey from Galați, Romania to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and marks an important step as the vessel prepares to serve the communities of Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island.
Gifted by Snuneymuxw First Nation in the hul'q'umi'num language, sarlequun (pronounced: sar-le-qwun) means "People at Nanaimo Harbour". The name honours the Nation's longstanding connection to the lands and waters where the vessel is scheduled to operate and reflects the significance of the Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854, a legally recognized agreement that affirms the Nation's inherent rights, self-determination and enduring relationship to these lands and waters.
“We are honoured to see the name sarlequun carried by this vessel as it travels through the heart of our territories,” said Chief Mike Wyse, Xum'silum, Snuneymuxw First Nation. “We appreciate BC Ferries’ commitment to building a relationship grounded in respect, recognition, and meaningful action. We support this launch based on a clear understanding of the rights enshrined in our Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854. On behalf of Snuneymuxw First Nation, we extend our well wishes for safe passage to all those who journey across sacred waters aboard sarlequun.”
The vessel is the second of four new hybrid-electric Island Class vessels expected to enter service over the coming year. Once in service, Island sarlequun is scheduled to operate alongside its sister vessel, Island xwsaĺux̌ul, on the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route, helping meet growing demand on one of BC Ferries’ busiest interisland routes.
"This vessel has travelled a long way to reach British Columbia, and today it begins a new chapter," said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. "We are grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation for gifting the name sarlequun. It connects this vessel to the people and place it is expected to serve, and we recognize the importance of carrying it with respect."
Island sarlequun’s arrival is another milestone in BC Ferries' long-term fleet renewal program designed to help improve reliability and increase capacity for customers while creating a more standardized fleet that is intended to support greater operational flexibility and more efficient maintenance and crew training practices.
Island sarlequun is one of four hybrid-electric Island Class vessels that are designed with the capability to operate on electric power once the required shore-based charging infrastructure is in place, supporting BC Ferries' work toward lower emission operations. Work to electrify the route has already begun and is expected to be in place in 2027.
"Every new vessel entering service strengthens our ability to provide safe, reliable service for the coastal communities that depend on BC Ferries," said Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries. "Island sarlequun reflects the progress we're making to renew our fleet with modern vessels that improve reliability today while supporting the future electrification of our system."
Following final preparations and crew training, Island sarlequun is expected to enter service on the Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island route in the coming weeks, replacing Island Gwawis. As currently planned, Island Gwawis is expected to be redeployed to the Crofton-Vesuvius Bay route in early 2027 – one of two ships planned to increase capacity and help manage traffic volumes at the terminals.
To learn more about fleet renewal and the Island Class vessels visit the BC Ferries website.
July 15, 2026
After a long journey spanning oceans and seas, BC Ferries welcomes Island sarlequun to its fleet
Summary
- After a long journey from Galați, Romania to Victoria, BC Ferries welcomed its newest Island Class vessel, Island sarlequun, to its fleet in a naming ceremony recognizing the name gifted by Snuneymuxw First Nation.
- The name, sarlequun, meaning "People at Nanaimo Harbour" in the hul'q'umi'num language, honors the deep and enduring connection of the Snuneymuxw First Nation to the lands and waters where the vessel is planned to operate.
- The second of four new hybrid-electric Island Class vessels expected to enter service over the coming year, Island sarlequun is scheduled to operate on the Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island route alongside its sister vessel, supporting service to the community while advancing BC Ferries' long-term fleet renewal program.
VICTORIA, BC – On July 15, 2026, BC Ferries welcomed its newest Island Class vessel, Island sarlequun, in a naming ceremony recognizing the name gifted by the Snuneymuxw First Nation. The ceremony followed a long journey from Galați, Romania to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and marks an important step as the vessel prepares to serve the communities of Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island.
Gifted by Snuneymuxw First Nation in the hul'q'umi'num language, sarlequun (pronounced: sar-le-qwun) means "People at Nanaimo Harbour". The name honours the Nation's longstanding connection to the lands and waters where the vessel is scheduled to operate and reflects the significance of the Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854, a legally recognized agreement that affirms the Nation's inherent rights, self-determination and enduring relationship to these lands and waters.
“We are honoured to see the name sarlequun carried by this vessel as it travels through the heart of our territories,” said Chief Mike Wyse, Xum'silum, Snuneymuxw First Nation. “We appreciate BC Ferries’ commitment to building a relationship grounded in respect, recognition, and meaningful action. We support this launch based on a clear understanding of the rights enshrined in our Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854. On behalf of Snuneymuxw First Nation, we extend our well wishes for safe passage to all those who journey across sacred waters aboard sarlequun.”
The vessel is the second of four new hybrid-electric Island Class vessels expected to enter service over the coming year. Once in service, Island sarlequun is scheduled to operate alongside its sister vessel, Island xwsaĺux̌ul, on the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route, helping meet growing demand on one of BC Ferries’ busiest interisland routes.
"This vessel has travelled a long way to reach British Columbia, and today it begins a new chapter," said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. "We are grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation for gifting the name sarlequun. It connects this vessel to the people and place it is expected to serve, and we recognize the importance of carrying it with respect."
Island sarlequun’s arrival is another milestone in BC Ferries' long-term fleet renewal program designed to help improve reliability and increase capacity for customers while creating a more standardized fleet that is intended to support greater operational flexibility and more efficient maintenance and crew training practices.
Island sarlequun is one of four hybrid-electric Island Class vessels that are designed with the capability to operate on electric power once the required shore-based charging infrastructure is in place, supporting BC Ferries' work toward lower emission operations. Work to electrify the route has already begun and is expected to be in place in 2027.
"Every new vessel entering service strengthens our ability to provide safe, reliable service for the coastal communities that depend on BC Ferries," said Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries. "Island sarlequun reflects the progress we're making to renew our fleet with modern vessels that improve reliability today while supporting the future electrification of our system."
Following final preparations and crew training, Island sarlequun is expected to enter service on the Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island route in the coming weeks, replacing Island Gwawis. As currently planned, Island Gwawis is expected to be redeployed to the Crofton-Vesuvius Bay route in early 2027 – one of two ships planned to increase capacity and help manage traffic volumes at the terminals.
To learn more about fleet renewal and the Island Class vessels visit the BC Ferries website.
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From left: Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries; Councillor Jeannie George, Songhees Nations; Nicolas Jimenez, President & CEO of BC Ferries; Emma McWalter, Vessel Sponsor at BC Ferries; Jurriaan Jellema, Damen Shipyards
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From left: Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries; Councillor Jeannie George, Songhees Nations; Nicolas Jimenez, President & CEO of BC Ferries; Emma McWalter, Vessel Sponsor at BC Ferries; Jurriaan Jellema, Damen Shipyards
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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company’s expectations regarding the demand for ferry services, the timing of fleet and terminal renewal programs, financial and business risks, results of operations, business prospects and opportunities, vessel performance, passenger expectations and satisfaction, expected levels of economic activity generated from our business decisions and industry performance and trends. They reflect management’s current internal projections, expectations and beliefs, and are based on information currently available to management. Some of the market conditions and factors that have been considered in formulating the assumptions upon which forward-looking statements are based include population and demand growth estimates, operational route planning, vessel redeployment strategies, anticipated impacts of fleet renewal and vessel standardization on reliability, capacity and operational flexibility, assessments of the expected operational life of our assets including vessel retirements, shipbuilding demand and cost projections, timing of completion of new ship builds and entry of new ships into service, vessel reliability and capacity estimates, expected environmental impacts, traffic trends, inflation, interest rates, fuel costs, construction costs and timelines, the state of the economy, tariff impacts and fluctuating financial markets. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except as may be required by applicable law.
This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements”. These statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company’s expectations regarding the demand for ferry services, the timing of fleet and terminal renewal programs, financial and business risks, results of operations, business prospects and opportunities, vessel performance, passenger expectations and satisfaction, expected levels of economic activity generated from our business decisions and industry performance and trends. They reflect management’s current internal projections, expectations and beliefs, and are based on information currently available to management. Some of the market conditions and factors that have been considered in formulating the assumptions upon which forward-looking statements are based include population and demand growth estimates, operational route planning, vessel redeployment strategies, anticipated impacts of fleet renewal and vessel standardization on reliability, capacity and operational flexibility, assessments of the expected operational life of our assets including vessel retirements, shipbuilding demand and cost projections, timing of completion of new ship builds and entry of new ships into service, vessel reliability and capacity estimates, expected environmental impacts, traffic trends, inflation, interest rates, fuel costs, construction costs and timelines, the state of the economy, tariff impacts and fluctuating financial markets. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon reasonable assumptions, investors cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances except as may be required by applicable law.