The ‘Island Nagalis’ is expected to begin service on the Quadra Island–Cortes Island route on Friday, June 26, 2026.
Kit Billings, a Communications Advisor with BC Ferries, emailed, “Based on the current transition plan, the Tachek is expected to complete its final sailing on Route 24 late morning from Whaletown, and the Island Nagalis is anticipated to enter service later that afternoon. BC Ferries is working to ensure a seamless transition with no anticipated disruptions to service; however, timing remains subject to operational requirements.”
The Tachek was built by Allied Shipbuilders in Vancouver during 1969 and has an official car capacity of 26. She was originally named Texada Queen and served on the Powell River–Blubber Bay route for a decade. In 1977, the Texada Queen underwent extensive renovations, including an engine replacement. That was when she was renamed the Tachek.
After the North Island Princess took over the Powell River–Blubber Bay route in 1979, the Tachek went on to serve a number of routes. She plied the waters between Campbell River and Quadra Island in 1980. After that, she served:
- in the Southern Gulf Islands
- on the Alert Bay–Sointula–Port McNeill route
- between Denman and Hornby Islands
- between Texada Island and Powell River
The Tachek took over the Heriot Bay–Whaletown route in 2016.
Its replacement, the Island Nagalis, is one of 10 hybrid electric vessels that the Damen Shipyards Group built for BC Ferries. Damen is a Dutch company with 35 shipyards on five continents. All of BC Ferries’ Island Class vessels come from the Galați shipyard in Romania.
The Island Nagalis has been operating on the Campbell River–Quadra route since January 17, 2023. She has a carrying capacity of 47 vehicles and a maximum speed of 14 knots.
Links of Interest:
- Construction at Heriot Bay and Whaletown terminals ending, new ferries coming – Cortes Currents
- Island Class – BC Ferries
- Articles about, or mentioning, BC Ferries
Top image credit: Island Nagalis – courtesy BC Ferries
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