MV Quinitsa

Quinitsa at Buckley Bay (2007)
History
CanadaCanada
NameQuinitsa
NamesakeKwinitsa River
OwnerMinistry of Transportation and Highways
OperatorMinistry of Transportation and Highways (1977-1982), BC Ferries (1982-1983), Ministry of Transportation and Highways (1983-1985)
Route
BuilderVancouver Shipyards Co. Ltd., North Vancouver
Completed1977
In service1977
IdentificationIMO number7710965
FateTransferred to BC Ferries in 1985
CanadaCanada
NameQuinitsa
OwnerBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
OperatorBritish Columbia Ferry Services Inc.
Route1983-present: Buckley BayDenman Island
Acquired1985
Refit2008
Identification
Statusin active service
General characteristics
Class and typeunclassified
Typeferry
Tonnage1107.59
Displacement1099 tonnes
Length74.68 m (245.0 ft)
Beam19.51 m (64.0 ft)
Installed power1,899 hp (1,416 kW)
Speed10 knots (19 km/h)
Capacity
  • 392 passengers
  • 50 cars
Crew6
NotesSources:[1][2]

The MV Quinitsa is an automobile ferry operated by BC Ferries. It was built in 1977 by Vancouver Shipyards in Vancouver, British Columbia. The ferry was originally part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' (MoT) saltwater ferry fleet until 1985, when the MoT's saltwater ferries—including Quinitsa—were transferred to BC Ferries.[1]

The 50-car Quinitsa began service in 1977 on the Nanaimo HarbourGabriola Island ferry route, replacing the 30-car Kahloke. Like her predecessor, the Quinitsa soon became too small and in June 1982, the larger 70-car MV Quinsam entered service, replacing Quinitsa. For the rest of 1982 and for most of 1983, she was loaned to BC Ferries. She operated on a variety of routes, including Horseshoe BayBowen Island, Swartz BayFulford Harbour, and she also served the Gulf Islands from Swartz Bay. Upon returning to the MoT, she was placed on the Buckley BayDenman Island route until 2019, when she replaced the Howe Sound Queen on the CroftonVesuvius Bay (Salt Spring Island) route and remains there on a temporary basis as of 2024.[1]

In 2008, she received a mid-life upgrade where she received new engines and generators, as well as a rebuilt bridge structure and a refurbished passenger cabin. In 2018, when unscheduled repairs to the Queen of Cumberland required the MV Skeena Queen to carry traffic between Pender Island and Swartz Bay in addition to between Fulford Harbour and Swartz Bay, the Quinitsa was stationed at Fulford Harbour to provide additional sailings during peak demand on those routes, and to handle some dangerous cargo sailings.

References

  1. ^ a b c Hammersmark, John. "Quinitsa - BC Ferries". Westcoastferries.ca. West Coast Ferries. Retrieved 10 June 2013.
  2. ^ "What is Onboard: Quinitsa". BC Ferries. British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. Retrieved 10 June 2013.

Media related to IMO 7710965 at Wikimedia Commons