A final sunset on the Queen of Saanich.
It was an emotional final sailing on the Queen of Saanich.
Passengers making the voyage home from Vancouver Island to Tsawwassen late Sunday afternoon were surprised to learn they were part of BC Ferries history.
A smattering of applause greeted the captain’s request that passengers observe a moment’s silence to mark the Queen of Saanich’s last round trip to the mainland before being decommissioned.
After 45 years plying coastal waters, the vessel is one of three V-Class BC Ferries due to end service and be stripped and sold off.
A boisterous group of boys gathered on deck for a spitting contest. Nostalgic shutterbugs scuttled to the outdoor decks on a balmy November afternoon to capture the Victoria-built vessel’s final misty sunset.
Crew members managed to steal a few precious minutes to muster for a final group photo in between vacuuming the carpets for one last B.C. voyage and retrieving recyclable bottles and cans from bins.
The ship’s horn sounded several times as the vessel sailed through an extensive fog bank between Vancouver Island and Tsawwassen.
Wistful passengers and crew called it the end of an era.
Aft lounge.
Free beverages were offered to all to toast goodbye, and remember the ship’s long and safe record.
The old ferries are being retired in favour of the new German-built Super “C” Class that started to arrive in 2007.
– Co-authored by Urban Coyote.
