Work on the Heriot Bay and Whaletown ferry terminals is proceeding faster than expected, and the much-anticipated shutdown of service on the Cortes to Quadra run has been shortened to three weeks. Cortes Island’s new hydroelectric ferry could arrive as early as late spring or summer of 2026. The Cortes and Campbell River ferries could both be fully electric earlier than previously expected. The key word for both of those last items is ‘could’ because they are possibilities, not promises. In this morning’s interview, Sheila Reynolds from BC Ferries gave Cortes Currents an update on the scheduling for our area.
“The construction progress on both terminals has been steady, and in collaboration with the community, we worked really hard over the past year or more to compress that timeline of disruption significantly,” she explained.
“The temporary trestle constructed at Heriot Bay was a solution developed in partnership with some of the local contractors, and it allowed the ferry service to continue while the original ramp was removed and replaced. That was a huge time saver and really eased the disruption to ferry riders.”
“So right now, in Heriot Bay, I believe the new trestle was installed last week, and the new main ramp was installed as well. The contractor was able to take advantage of some of the low tides at night to really get that done.”
“In Whaletown, I believe there is still work for BC Hydro. The transformer was scheduled to finish up last week, and they are installing a lot of other electrical infrastructure this week. They are also installing the piles this week for the new pontoon and dolphins (free-standing clusters of piles that help absorb the ferry’s impact as it comes on and hold it in place) at Whaletown. So they are really making lots of progress there. I should note that for Whaletown, they are moving a lot of the work originally planned for January into December. So right now, during the first two weeks in December, customers and residents there may notice construction work.”
“They are working extended hours, starting a little earlier at 6:00 AM and working a little later, up until 10:00 PM on the construction site at Whaletown. This is to provide extra schedule buffers should any issues arise. They are all ready for the new year and all the changes that are going to be happening there.”
“Between December 20th and January 5th, the construction sites on both sides will be shut down to allow workers to take a break and spend time with family and friends over the holidays.”
Cortes Currents: Can I get a basic schedule as it looks right now for both terminals?
Sheila Reynolds: “Both projects are scheduled to be complete in Spring/Summer 2026. There are going to be berth closures in both Heriot Bay and Whaletown planned from February 9th to March 1st, resulting in a closure of about three weeks.”
“There has been a lot going on behind the scenes. Our engagement team was just in town in October, updating the community on some of those plans. They are meeting with commercial users.”
“Actually, I think they have a meeting with them today to share additional information about the logistics of what their work will look like during the closures. Berth closure is planned from February 9th to March 1st, and during this time:”
“The water taxi service has a capacity of about 40 people. It will travel between Mansons Landing and the Heriot Bay government dock, operating seven days a week and offering six round trips a day. Those round trips will start from the Cortes side. There will be space available for items like strollers, bikes, and mobility aids on the water taxi. There will be a complimentary shuttle bus service running between the Heriot Bay Government Dock and Quathiaski Cove, and I believe there will be a stop at the Heriot Bay Ferry terminal as well for anyone that needs a pickup there. That schedule will coincide with the water taxi arrival and departure schedule as closely as possible.”
“There will be a barge/landing cross service for essential goods and services between Heriot Bay Government Dock and Gorge Harbor. It will operate six days a week, Monday to Saturday, and similar to the current ferry schedule, Tuesday is designated for dangerous goods.”
“We have been working out the logistics of all that, and as I mentioned, our engagement team is actually meeting with commercial users today.”
“They will have an advanced booking system that will be operational in January. They are just working out all those logistics to make sure all those services and goods get to residents.”
Cortes Currents: Do we have a schedule for the water taxi, for example, when it would leave?
Sheila Reynolds: “We do (posted below). I don’t think it’s been posted officially on the regular schedules pages of our website, but it is on the project page right now. It is subject to change at this point, but it is up there and shows both the schedule from Cortes to Quadra and also from Quadra to Cortes. It lists six daily round trips.”
“Subject to availability approval, the barge and landing craft service may be available in very special circumstances to transport passenger vehicles. It will just be a case of submitting a request and whether there is space or not. Individuals would be contacted if any space became available in those circumstances. Obviously, there are going to be urgent circumstances that may require that, so that is a consideration that can be made.”
Cortes Currents: How do we contact BC Ferries to make a booking?
Sheila Reynolds: “I believe it will be similar to the online booking that commercial vehicles will be able to take advantage of, but I would have to confirm whether it’s through that system or a different contact avenue. I can get back to you on that.”
Cortes Currents: Tell us about the new ferries that are coming to Campbell River and also the one that will be coming to Cortes.
Sheila Reynolds: “It’s a bit of a chess game within our system with these new vessels. There are currently four new Island-class vessels coming to the fleet. They are still under construction overseas, but they are on their way in the next couple of years.”
“Two of those are forecast to start in early 2027: the Island Gwa’yam (pronounced Gwuh-yum) and the Island K’asa (pronounced KAH-sa).”
They will both be deployed on the Campbell River-Quadra Island route. According to the BC Ferries Press release:
“The first vessel will be named Island Gwa’yam—pronounced Gwuh-yum—meaning Whale in the Kwak’wala language. This name was generously gifted by the We Wai Kai Nation, specifically chosen because whales are powerful symbols of family that have recently returned to these waters.“
“Naming this vessel ‘Gwa’yam’ is a deep honor for our people. It reflects our connection to the sea, and the importance of preserving our language and traditions” said We Wai Kai Chief Councillor Ronnie Chickite. “By working with BC Ferries, we ensure that our stories and culture are carried forward for future generations, strengthening the bond between our communities and the waters that sustain us.”
“The second vessel will carry the name Island K’asa—pronounced KAH-sah—meaning Otter in the Kwak’wala language. This name was graciously offered by the Wei Wai Kum Nation, specifically chosen because the otter is a powerful guardian spirit who can navigate between the spirit and human world. These family-oriented, playful beings are a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living things.“
“As elected Chief of the Wei Wai Kum Nation, I am appreciative of the BC Ferries team for working with our knowledgeable Elders, holding three individual meetings for the choosing of this name,” shared Wei Wai Kum Chief Christopher Roberts. “This name chosen from our language will be represented on the ferries that will be sailing in our waters. This shows BC Ferries’ commitment to reconciliation. We are honored to have these special names be commemorated and to be shared for all to enjoy.”
Cortes Currents: The Island Nagalis (pronounced NAH-GAH-LEASE, a Kwak’wala name meaning ‘Dawn on the Land’) which has been serving Campbell River-Quadra since January 2023, will take over the Cortes Island-Quadra route.
Sheila Reynolds: “The Island Nagalis will replace the Tachek, and the Tachek will then be retired. This will increase the capacity on that route from 26 vehicles to 47 and significantly increase the passenger and crew capacity from 150 to 390 people, making it significantly larger than the Tachek.”
Cortes Currents: Do you know when?
Sheila Reynolds: “That is currently planned for spring. It’s not an exact date; it’s spring/summer 2026, and the exact date is subject to adjustment based on the final delivery dates for the new vessels and the completion of these ongoing terminal upgrades. There are just so many moving pieces and factors in play. The building times, transport, terminal construction, crew training—all of that has to come together. But they are aiming for spring/summer.”
“There will be a gap between spring/summer 2026 and when the new vessels arrive in 2027. During that period, because one of their two vessels will now be on the Quadra-Cortes route, the Island Kwigwis (Pronounced: QUEE-WEASE) will be shifted from Nanaimo-Gabriola just for that interim period.”
Cortes Currents: It will join the Island K’ulut’a (Pronounced: Q-LUTA), which has been on the Campbell River-Quadra Island route since 2023.
K’ulut’a is another Kwak’wala name and means Porpoise. The name Kwigwis was gifted by the ‘Na̲mg̲is First Nation and means ‘Eagle of the Sea.’
They will serve that area until the Island Gwa’yam and Island K’asa arrive in 2027.
Sheila Reynolds: “All of these vessels are battery equipped, so they have the technology to be fully electric once the shore-side charging infrastructure becomes available.”
“Right now in Campbell River and Quadra, that infrastructure is being implemented, and eventually, all the Island-class routes will have this capability. I believe that’s the plan for the interoperability of all the Island-class vessels, allowing them to switch routes and cover for each other if needed.”
Cortes Currents: When will the Campbell River-Quadra route be fully electric?
Sheila Reynolds: “We’re hoping that it will be fully complete and electrified by the time the new vessels are deployed on that route in 2027.”
Cortes Currents: What about Cortes-Quadra? Is there a plan to make it fully electric?
Sheila Reynolds: “The idea is to standardize the whole fleet, and that’s the reason for bringing the Island-class vessels to all the routes so that they can all eventually transition. However, I’m not sure of the timeline for the Quadra-Cortes route.”
Cortes Currents: Is there anything you want to add about what we’ve been discussing this morning?
Sheila Reynolds: “There’s so much to talk about. I know the closures will be a concern for people relying on the ferry service, and we recognize that it’s going to be a challenging time. That’s why we’ve really tried to work hard with the community to minimize that disruption and keep services moving during this period. We’re really hoping that this will lead to long-term safety and reliability of the ferry service on that route moving forward.”
“We appreciate everybody’s patience and understand that it’s not optimal, but given that those terminals have reached their end of life, this work is necessary for safety, reliability, and service moving forward.”
Links of Interest:
- Heriot Bay – Whaletown Terminal Projects – BC Ferries
- Articles about, or mentioning, the Island Class ferries
- New Major Vessels (ie for Horseshoe Bay Schwartz Bay routes etc) Projects page – BC Ferries
- Articles about, or mentioning, BC Ferries
All undesignated photos and charts are from BC Ferries: Top image credit: shoreline stabilization work underway at the Whaletown terminal.
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