A smaller ferry is running between Crofton and Vesuvius on Salt Spring Island.
The Quinitsa has taken over service from the Bowen Queen between the two communities.
Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries explains the rationale behind the switch.
“We like to bring a larger vessel on in the summertime because we do see increased tourism traffic to Salt Spring in the summer, but it is more expensive to operate the Bowen Queen than the Quinitsa.”
The Bowen Queen has a 61-car capacity while the Quinitsa holds 44.
Marshall said more vessel-shuffling is expected when new boats arrive as part of the Corporation’s future plans.
“Eventually, when we get our new Island Class vessels in 2022, we will re-deploy the Quinsam from the Gabriola (Island) run and we’ll assign that to the Crofton-Vesuvius run,” said Marshall.
Island Class ferries are electric-hybrid vessels. BC Ferries has ordered four of them to serve Gabriola and Quadra Islands.
The Bowen Queen is now servicing the Campbell River – Quadra Island route.
