My friend and I took our first trip on Salish Orca yesterday and, in spite of a rocky start due to an electrical delay when it left Little River, we really enjoyed the new ferry. The ship left Westview about an hour late, but made up a lot of time during the crossing.
We were asked at the ticket booth if we wanted to use an elevator and the answer was “yes” because we had heard about how steep the stairs are onboard. We were directed to lane two and told to put on our flashing lights when boarding. We loaded on the lower deck and, sure enough, the elevator was right there, a good size and could take at least eight to 10 people.
There are two elevators, so if you choose the wrong one when returning to the car decks it is only a short distance to walk back to your car.
We arrived on deck four to a bright and welcoming area and free coffee, tea or hot chocolate due to the late arrival. There are washrooms at either end of the central core, a small gift store and plenty of seating in smaller areas not in a large and open impersonal space.
A couple of ATMs and a good number of computer stations, also in the central core, are out of the way of the main pedestrian area. The children’s section has some very interesting films about nature, Canada’s parks and a cartoon character named Beaver.
We were on deck three on our return, which was just as accessible from the elevators. The whole appearance is light and welcoming.
Both car decks are bright with high ceilings and no feeling that you are in a dungeon, nor do they have those horrid poles like Queen of Burnaby that were just a nightmare.
Yes, the stairs are steep, but possible if absolutely necessary.
So, there are only two criticisms. The slope of the deck for the foot passengers when boarding may be too steep for the elderly or those who are handicapped, walking or in wheelchairs, but perhaps there is another way that was not obvious to us. And the stairs, which may be a danger for smaller children without a lower handrail.
Thank you, BC Ferries, for making the journey a pleasure.
Marian Buller is a longtime resident who has used local ferries since the Black Ball line provided service for Powell River.
