The current appears to be flowing with the proposal to bring an electric powered passenger ferry service to Howe Sound. On Feb. 24, the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority (GLHA) and Vancouver Parks Board indicated their support but both have more work to do to help make the Greenline Ferries initiative possible.
Mark Urwin GLHA president told Coast Reporter by email that board passed a motion in support of Greenline’s vision, recognizing the potential benefits for the harbour and broader marine community.
"We are still evaluating operational considerations, particularly around dock infrastructure and harbour access. The charge barge concept and any required upgrades would need coordination with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and its Small Craft Harbours (SCH) program. Next steps involve continued engagement with Greenline, the Town of Gibsons, and senior government agencies to assess feasibility and infrastructure needs while ensuring Gibsons Harbour remains a functional working waterfront," he wrote.
Vancouver Parks Board voted unanimously to continue the exploration of Greenline Ferries’ potential use of Harbour Green dock in Coal Harbour. While the "green light" for the company to use that pivotal docking point for its service hasn't been agreed to, the vote moved that consideration process forward.
A park's staff report on “next steps” for a change of use at the Harbour Green Dock was requested. In addition, staff were directed to “collaborate with regional municipal governments, including the City of Vancouver, the Province, and commercial partners to evaluate potential opportunities for sustainable transportation options “ and to be “open to potential partners for funding the required facility upgrades at Harbour Green to facilitate commercial operations."
That dock, located next to Harbour Green Park, at the foot of Bute Street closed to the public in 2018 after opening in 2003. According to an April 2019 staff report, that closure was due to dock damage that was attributed to “boats that were too big and heavy” using its facilities, some of which may have been caused by two unsanctioned ferry operations using the site to provide commuter services from Gibsons (the former Pacific Ferries operation out of Gibsons) and Bowen Island. The 2018 dock closure ended a commuter service between Bowen Island and Coal Harbour that had operated since 2010.
Funding dock upgrades and operations
The parks board has been contemplating the options to change the use and management of Harbour Green dock over the past five years. The 2019 report referenced in last month’s meeting materials stated “minimum costs to restore it to its prior condition are approximately $350K and would take more than 12 months to complete. Based on the previous performance of the dock, it is clear that repairing the dock to its original specifications will be insufficient in addressing the technical and operational challenges of this location… The order of magnitude cost for a full rebuild is up to $2M, which may be required to accommodate limited ferry services.”
Inflation since 2019 will have impacted those estimates. As for where money to upgrade the dock could come from, the endorsed motion’s preamble made mention of the federal government’s commitment to invest up to $903 million in B.C. for Green Infrastructure funding for community projects that reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The parks board motion stated that a “collaborative regional approach is needed to address traffic congestion and transportation resilience in the Sea to Sky region, West Vancouver, North Vancouver, and City of Vancouver."
When it comes to operational costs, should the dock improvements and the ferry service proceed, the 2019 report noted, “staff expect revenues generated from limited commuter ferry services could be used to subsidize ongoing recreational usage (of the dock). With regular ferry operations on site, there is also an opportunity for recreational usage could be regulated without much additional overhead.”
City of Vancouver considerations pending
On March 12, the company planning to run a 150-passenger 32-metre catamaran ferry on routes connecting downtown Vancouver with Gibsons and Bowen Island's Seymour Bay will have its eyes on Vancouver city council proceedings.
According to Greenline's chief executive officer Callum Campbell, a member's motion, entitled "Sailing Past Gridlock Towards Sustainable Transportation Options", is to be voted on. It will be brought forward by Coun. Rebecca Bligh and will be asking her counterparts to "direct staff to work with stakeholders, partners, and park board to consider proposals from potential service providers and report back regarding options and feasibility to land an electric passenger ferry service in Downtown Vancouver."
