Travel advisory:
Busy weekend expected
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Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2026
Busy weekend expected
BC Day long weekend is the busiest weekend of the year for ferry travel on the coast. Our major routes between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island are expected to be at or near capacity for vehicles during peak times.
Be prepared for sailing waits if a booking has not been made in advance of travel. Depending on when you arrive, there may be limited or no space available for drive-up vehicles. Check Current Conditions before leaving for the terminal for the latest sailing and capacity information, and check Service Notices for operational updates.
If your plans are flexible, consider taking transit and travel as a foot passenger. Walk-on bookings are available on our major routes at no additional cost and are recommended to help secure your preferred sailing. BC Day long weekend travel tips can be found here.
For Immediate Release
21-061
December 22, 2021
VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ new Salish Class vessel is now on its way to British Columbia. Salish Heron left Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland on December 22. It is the fourth Salish Class vessel to join BC Ferries’ fleet and will commence service next year.
It will take approximately 55 days for Salish Heron to make the transoceanic voyage, depending on weather. The ship will sail approximately 10,440 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific Coast of North America arriving at Victoria’s Ogden Point for inspection in February. It will then move to BC Ferries’ Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond for final preparations, including the application of the exterior artwork designed by Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr.
The Salish Class vessels operate on liquefied natural gas, a cleaner fuel than diesel. The hull design creates a very small wake and the electric propulsion and structural design ensure a quiet ride. The Indigenous artwork on each Salish class vessel is an acknowledgement of the Coast Salish sailors as original navigators of these coastal waters.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Salish Heron into service next year,” said Captain Jamie Marshall, BC Ferries’ Vice President, Shipbuilding & Innovation. “Given our presence in coastal waters, we are determined to conduct our operations in an environmentally responsible way in our transition to a lower carbon future.”
Salish Heron is identical to the three Salish Class ferries which entered service in 2017, with capacity to carry up to 138 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew. With three identical vessels already in service, BC Ferries is realizing the benefits of standardization as crew training is being completed on ferries currently in operation.
To follow Salish Heron’s journey and track its progress including course, position and speed, visit vesselfinder.com. BC Ferries looks forward to officially welcoming the ship into service next year.
Photo attached
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Salish Heron conducting sea trials in Gdansk, Poland in November 2021.
21-061
December 22, 2021
New Salish Class vessel sets sail from Poland bound for B.C.
Salish Heron to arrive in February and begin service in 2022
VICTORIA – BC Ferries’ new Salish Class vessel is now on its way to British Columbia. Salish Heron left Remontowa Shipbuilding S.A. in Gdansk, Poland on December 22. It is the fourth Salish Class vessel to join BC Ferries’ fleet and will commence service next year.
It will take approximately 55 days for Salish Heron to make the transoceanic voyage, depending on weather. The ship will sail approximately 10,440 nautical miles across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and up the Pacific Coast of North America arriving at Victoria’s Ogden Point for inspection in February. It will then move to BC Ferries’ Fleet Maintenance Unit in Richmond for final preparations, including the application of the exterior artwork designed by Coast Salish artist Maynard Johnny Jr.
The Salish Class vessels operate on liquefied natural gas, a cleaner fuel than diesel. The hull design creates a very small wake and the electric propulsion and structural design ensure a quiet ride. The Indigenous artwork on each Salish class vessel is an acknowledgement of the Coast Salish sailors as original navigators of these coastal waters.
“We are looking forward to welcoming Salish Heron into service next year,” said Captain Jamie Marshall, BC Ferries’ Vice President, Shipbuilding & Innovation. “Given our presence in coastal waters, we are determined to conduct our operations in an environmentally responsible way in our transition to a lower carbon future.”
Salish Heron is identical to the three Salish Class ferries which entered service in 2017, with capacity to carry up to 138 vehicles and up to 600 passengers and crew. With three identical vessels already in service, BC Ferries is realizing the benefits of standardization as crew training is being completed on ferries currently in operation.
To follow Salish Heron’s journey and track its progress including course, position and speed, visit vesselfinder.com. BC Ferries looks forward to officially welcoming the ship into service next year.
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Media Contact:
BC Ferries, Communications
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Fax (250) 978-1119 bcferries.com/bcfnews
Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency line at (250) 516-7211.
Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 386-3431
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
500-1321 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 0B7
BC Ferries, Communications
Victoria: (250) 978-1267
Fax (250) 978-1119 bcferries.com/bcfnews
Note to newsrooms: For urgent media inquiries off-hours, call our emergency line at (250) 516-7211.
Customer Contact:
Victoria: (250) 386-3431
Toll-free: 1-888-BCFERRY (1-888-223-3779)
British Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
500-1321 Blanshard Street, Victoria, BC V8W 0B7
Photo attached
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Salish Heron conducting sea trials in Gdansk, Poland in November 2021.