Kootenay Lake ferry
 The Osprey 2000 on Kootenay Lake | |
| Locale | Balfour−Kootenay Bay |
|---|---|
| Waterway | Kootenay Lake |
| Transit type | Passenger and automobile ferry |
| Operator | Western Pacific Marine |
| System length | 8 km (5.0 mi) |
| No. of lines | 1 |
| No. of vessels | 2 |
| No. of terminals | 2 |
| Website | Kootenay Lake Ferry |
The Kootenay Lake Ferry is a ferry across the Kootenay Lake in British Columbia, Canada. It operates between Balfour, on the west side of the lake, and Kootenay Bay, on the east side. It is the longest free scenic ferry in the world.[1] Two ferry vessels are used: the MV Osprey 2000 and the MV Balfour.[2]
The ferry operates under contract to the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and is free of tolls. A single vessel operates throughout the year, with ten departures from Balfour between 06:30 and 21:40, returning from Kootenay Bay between 07:10 and 22:20. The second vessel operates in summer only, providing an extra five crossings in either direction. The crossing is about 8 km (5.0 mi) in length, and takes 35 minutes.[2]
The Osprey 2000 normally operates the main service, and carries a maximum of 80 vehicles and 250 passengers. The smaller Balfour usually provides the additional summer sailings, and carries up to 28 vehicles and 150 passengers.[2] A new "electric ready" ferry vessel is set to replace the MV Balfour by 2022.[3] The new ferry will eventually be converted from diesel to electric propulsion by 2030.[4]
See also
- Adams Lake Cable Ferry
- Arrow Park Ferry
- Barnston Island Ferry
- Big Bar Ferry
- Francois Lake Ferry
- Glade Cable Ferry
- Harrop Ferry
- Lytton Ferry
- Little Fort Ferry
- McLure Ferry
- Needles Ferry
- Upper Arrow Lakes Ferry
- Usk Ferry
References
- ^ "Kootenay Lake Ferry". kootenaylake.bc.ca. Kootenay Lake Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2017-03-08.
- ^ a b c "Inland Ferry Schedules". th.gov.bc.ca. Province of British Columbia, Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. Retrieved 2008-11-25.
- ^ Carrigg, David. "Shipbuilder from small B.C. town shortlisted to build hybrid ferry for Kootenay Lake". vancouversun.com. Retrieved 2020-04-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ Keating, Bob (April 29, 2019). "New ferry announced for free Kootenay Lake route". CBC News. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
External links
- Western Pacific Marine website Contractor that operates the ferry
49°39′07″N 116°54′41″W / 49.65196°N 116.911526°W
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