Review of Baynes Sound Connector Released

The review of the Baynes Sound Connector is now available in its entirety. View it here.

Report Summary

Our four-year plan submitted to the BC Ferry Commissioner on September 30, 2022 included a proposed expansion and repowering of the Baynes Sound Connected in 2026. The bigger ship was proposed to move additional traffic and better support a higher capacity vessel on Route 22, the connection between Denman and Hornby Islands.

Since submitting the report, we have completed a review of vessel operations to date and assessed alternative ways to accommodate future demand. The review considered multiple options including replacing the Baynes Sound Connector with a conventional ferry.

Upon review, it was decided to accelerate upgrades to the vessel machinery and hull coatings while deferring the proposed expansion of the vessel. Instead, we will be deploying the Kahloke alongside the Baynes Sound Connector this summer and bringing the Quinitsa into service on Route 22.

Starting June 22, the Kahloke and Baynes Sound Connector will operate together Monday to Friday on Route 21. This service is scheduled through to September 4. In addition, the Quinitsa, which began service earlier this week between Denman and Hornby Islands, will continue on the route into December.

This fall we’ll review how the summer went and collect feedback from customers and crew to inform a final decision on the proposed expansion of the Baynes Sound Connector.

In the link above, and in the sidebar on this page, you will find the report comparing the options that supported our decision. This report has been shared with the BC Ferry Commissioner, the BC Ferry Authority, and our operations board.

We are hosting two large community events next week (May 26^th and 27^th) to discuss medium-term plans for the Baynes Sound Connector, evaluation criteria for summer service and safety-related upgrades at the Denman East terminal. You can learn more about the sessions here.