Canadian line's three new ferries will be named Salish Eagle, Salish Raven and Salish Orca
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Canadian operator BC Ferries has chosen the names for its three new intermediate class ferries (ICFs), which are currently under construction at the Remontowa Shipbuilding yard in Poland.
The three names – Salish Orca, Salish Eagle and Salish Raven – were chosen from more than 7,100 ‘Name a Ferry’ competition entries. The 12-storng judging panel comprised of representatives from local media, Ferry Advisory Committee members and BC Ferries’ employees.
Salish Orca, Salish Eagle and Salish Raven were chosen to honour the Coast Salish people and the Salish Sea where these vessels will operate.
“These names honour the Coast Salish people and truly reflect both the west coast travel experience and the culture of British Columbia,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries’ president and CEO. “I would like thank the members of the judging panel who had a difficult job to select only three names from the thousands of great names that were submitted.”
To celebrate Salish culture, BC Ferries will work with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council to select Coast Salish artisans to design artwork for the exterior and interior of the vessels.
“We are looking forward to working with Coast Salish artists and the BC Ferries team on this inspiring project to adorn the new ferries with Coast Salish Art,” says Tracey Herbert, executive director of the First Peoples’ Cultural Council. “This collaboration is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the vibrant and thriving cultural heritage found on the coast of the Salish Sea.”
Due to debut in late summer 2016, Salish Orca will replace the 50-year old Queen of Burnaby on the Comox – Powell River route, while Salish Eagle will replace the 51-year old Queen of Nanaimo on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route in early 2017. Salish Raven is scheduled to operate in the Southern Gulf Islands from summer 2017.