BC Ferries welcomed its newest Island Class vessel, Island sarlequun, in a naming ceremony recognizing the name gifted by the Snuneymuxw First Nation.
The ceremony followed a long journey from Galați, Romania to Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, and marks an important step as the vessel prepares to serve the communities of Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island.
Gifted by Snuneymuxw First Nation in the hul’q’umi’num language, sarlequun (pronounced: sar-le-qwun) means “People at Nanaimo Harbour”. The name honours the Nation’s longstanding connection to the lands and waters where the vessel is scheduled to operate and reflects the significance of the Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854, a legally recognized agreement that affirms the Nation’s inherent rights, self-determination and enduring relationship to these lands and waters.
“We are honoured to see the name sarlequun carried by this vessel as it travels through the heart of our territories,” said Chief Mike Wyse, Xum’silum, Snuneymuxw First Nation. “We appreciate BC Ferries’ commitment to building a relationship grounded in respect, recognition, and meaningful action. We support this launch based on a clear understanding of the rights enshrined in our Snuneymuxw Sarlequun Treaty of 1854. On behalf of Snuneymuxw First Nation, we extend our well wishes for safe passage to all those who journey across sacred waters aboard sarlequun.”
The vessel is the second of four new hybrid-electric Island Class vessels expected to enter service over the coming year. Once in service, Island sarlequun is scheduled to operate alongside its sister vessel, Island xwsaĺux̌ul, on the Nanaimo Harbour-Gabriola Island route, helping meet growing demand on one of BC Ferries’ busiest interisland routes.
“This vessel has travelled a long way to reach British Columbia, and today it begins a new chapter,” said Nicolas Jimenez, President and CEO of BC Ferries. “We are grateful to Snuneymuxw First Nation for gifting the name sarlequun. It connects this vessel to the people and place it is expected to serve, and we recognize the importance of carrying it with respect.”
Island sarlequun’s arrival is another milestone in BC Ferries’ long-term fleet renewal program designed to help improve reliability and increase capacity for customers while creating a more standardized fleet that is intended to support greater operational flexibility and more efficient maintenance and crew training practices.
Island sarlequun is one of four hybrid-electric Island Class vessels that are designed with the capability to operate on electric power once the required shore-based charging infrastructure is in place, supporting BC Ferries’ work toward lower emission operations. Work to electrify the route has already begun and is expected to be in place in 2027.
“Every new vessel entering service strengthens our ability to provide safe, reliable service for the coastal communities that depend on BC Ferries,” said Ed Hooper, Head of Fleet Renewal at BC Ferries. “Island sarlequun reflects the progress we’re making to renew our fleet with modern vessels that improve reliability today while supporting the future electrification of our system.”
Following final preparations and crew training, Island sarlequun is expected to enter service on the Nanaimo Harbour–Gabriola Island route in the coming weeks, replacing Island Gwawis. As currently planned, Island Gwawis is expected to be redeployed to the Crofton-Vesuvius Bay route in early 2027 – one of two ships planned to increase capacity and help manage traffic volumes at the terminals.
