Third hybrid ferry arrives from Poland; artwork to be applied in B.C.

BC Ferries’ third natural gas-powered vessel has finally arrived in Victoria, but it’s looking a little more bare than the others.

The Salish Raven pulled into Ogden Point Wednesday after capping off a 41-day journey from Gdansk, Poland, where it was built.

The two other natural gas ferries, the Salish Orca and Salish Eagle, have already arrived sporting artwork from B.C. First Nations artists.

But the exterior of the Raven is still blank – because temperatures in Poland were below ideal for applying Musqueam Nation artist Thomas Cannell’s work, according to BC Ferries.

Now that it’s here in B.C., the artwork will be applied before the ferry goes into service on Southern Gulf Islands routes this fall.

The vessel will carry 145 vehicles and up to 600 people.

The Salish Orca already began servicing the Comox-Powell River route in mid-May, and the Salish Eagle will go to work on the Tsawassen-Southern Gulf Islands route in late June.