The Victoria-built Powell River Queen ferry is up for sale and has so far attracted a high bid of $200,000.
Built in 1965 at the now-closed Victoria Machinery Depot, the 84-metre ferry is set to retire in mid-January and be replaced by two Island-class ferries on the Campbell River-Quadra Island route.
Together, the Island Nagalis and Island K’ulut’a, which can carry up to 47 vehicles each, are expected to provide more capacity and more frequent sailings. The five-deck Powell River Queen can carry up to 400 passengers and 61 vehicles.
“While the Powell River Queen has served us well for many years, we look forward to the new and improved service on this route,” Deborah Marshall, B.C. Ferries spokesperson, said Wednesday.
The ferry, which is listed on the Ritchie Bros. Iron Planet website, comes with a 45,450-litre fuel tank, radar and fire-suppression equipment, a boiler, heater and washrooms.
Built in Europe by Damen Shipyards, a major international shipbuilder, the Island-class ferries — like the Powell River Queen — are double-ended for efficient loading and unloading. They have wide vehicle lanes, dedicated pedestrian walkways and bike parking and run on both diesel fuel electric batteries.
Once charging infrastructure is installed onshore — no date has been set — Island-class vessels will be able to run on batteries alone.
The ferries were designed to decrease underwater noise and to provide a quiet and smooth trip with lower emissions.