BC Ferries hosted a meeting in Port McNeill which was attended by three people. The topic of the meeting was a new ferry for the Port McNeill, Sointula, Alert Bay run.
Manager of Economic Development Pat English said BC Ferries has put out a tender to build four new ferries and the one that will be serving the North Island route will have 44 vehicle spaces. “The current one has 26,” English said.
The new ferry will also be much faster - with a cruising speed of 12 knots, English said.
The new ferry is scheduled to be in service in late 2019 or early 2020. Town of Port McNeill Mayor Shirley Ackland blamed poor advertising for the turnout.
“Communication is abysmal for a Crown corporation that has a mandate to consult with the public,” Ackland said.