Name Powell River Class Built 1965 Active 3 | Operators BC Ferries Completed 3 | |
 | ||
The Powell River Class ferry is a class of ships operated by BC Ferries. The open deck vessels are mostly used on low-to-moderate volume routes, with the Mayne Queen permanently on Route 5, connecting the Outer Gulf Islands with Swartz Bay, the Powell River Queen on Route 23, Campbell River to Quadra Island, and the Bowen Queen on relief duty, typically Routes 4,5, and 9.
Contents
Differences Between Vessels
There are some distinctions between vessels, most obviously the different profile of the Powell River Queen- instead of having two passenger lounges on Deck Three and a centre lane for taller traffic like her sisters, the Powell River Queen has all that space for overheight vehicles, resulting in the different look. The Mayne Queen is the only one to have ever had side loading capabilities, for use at a pier as opposed to strictly BC Ferries terminals. These were fitted at the time of manufacture, and remained until a $9 million overhaul of the entire class in 1979 when along with being stretched and re-engined, she had her side ramp capability removed. It is still possible to see the depression in the side of the deck where the ramp once was, just behind the painted propeller warning on opposing corners of the vessel. The Bowen Queen, only used now as a relief vessel along a number of routes when required, still has a staffed snack bar, whereas the Mayne Queen has had hers removed, in favour of vending machines.