The Aquabus
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The Aquabus, also known as Aquabus Ferries Ltd., is a privately owned and operated ferry service that provides commuter and sightseeing services[1] to locations all along False Creek of central Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The Aquabus started service in 1986.[2][3]
History[edit]
The beginning of ferry service throughout False Creek occurred in the summer of 1979 when Brian and Laura Beesley began operating a tour and water taxi service around Granville Island and False Creek.[3][4] The Aquabus Ferry Company was formed in 1986 by Jeff Pratt, the son of George Pratt who was a former partner at competitor Granville Island Ferries division False Creek Ferries.[1] It has since grown along with the population surrounding False Creek. Four Benford designed ferries were in operation by Expo 86 and the additional three plus a bicycle ferry, Cyquabus I, were in service by 1995.[5] The heritage ferry, the Rainbow Hunter, was built in 1950.[6] As Vancouver grew, Aquabus incorporated two more versatile and spacious bicycle ferries, the Cyquabus II and the Cyquabus III, in 2003[7] and 2006.[8] In mid-2008, one of the Benford ferries was converted to a fully electric propulsion system and was used as a test platform for Aquabus' exploration of alternative energy.[9] In the second quarter of 2010, the Aquabus acquired two new bicycle ferries, Cyquabus IV and Cyquabus V, and sold the heritage Rainbow Hunter.
The fleet[edit]
The Aquabus Ferry Company fleet is currently composed of fourteen vessels,[9] divided into two classes:
- Seven traditional Aquabus vessels, designed specifically for this purpose by naval architect Jay Benford.[10] These vessels run year round with a carrying capacity of twelve, plus one skipper. In 2008, Aquabus IV was converted to use an electric motor.[9]
- Seven Cyquabus ferries, designed to accommodate those with bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs, as well as regular passengers. The Cyquabus I was designed and assembled in 1995 by owner Jeff Pratt in his backyard from pieces made to his specifications by Aggressive Tube Bending of Burnaby, British Columbia.[5] Cyquabus I was decommissioned in the fourth quarter of 2010 following 15 years of service on False Creek as the Aquabus' first bicycle ferry.
Stop list[edit]
The Aquabus Ferry Company makes scheduled stops at the following locations:
- Hornby Street's south foot
- Granville Island, next to the Arts Club Theatre
- David Lam Park at Homer Street
- Stamp's Landing near Mahony’s Tavern False Creek restaurant
- Spyglass Place near Olympic Village beneath the Cambie Street Bridge on the south shore
- Yaletown at the foot of Davie Street
- Plaza of Nations
- Science World, across from the SkyTrain's Main Street–Science World station
See also[edit]
- False Creek Ferries - operates passenger ferries from Granville Island
- English Bay Launch - operates water taxis from Granville Island
References[edit]
- ^ a b Parton, Nicole. "Battle of the ferries is a False Creek epic", Vancouver Sun, May 12, 1988, Page B-3.
- ^ "Granville Island Works Canada | Arts Culture and Local Business in Vancouver BC — the People". Archived from the original on 2011-03-14. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ^ a b "Aquabus Ferries in Vancouver, British Columbia", About.com, Accessed September 14, 2009.
- ^ Vancouver Courier, Vol. 74 No. 48. December 1st, 1982 Page 1, 7
- ^ a b Daniels, Alan. "Bus for bikes barges into False Creek ferry fleet", Vancouver Sun, July 26, 1995, Page D-1.
- ^ "RAINBOW HUNTER (THE) (O.N. 193303)", Transport Canada registration, Accessed September 30, 2009.
- ^ "CYQUABUS II (O.N. 825486)", Transport Canada registration, Accessed September 30, 2009.
- ^ "CYQUABUS III (O.N. 828831)", Transport Canada registration, Accessed September 30, 2009.
- ^ a b c "Two Vancouver companies team up to play the ‘green’ game", Vancouver Board of Trade, May 2008.
- ^ http://www.benford.us/pdf/FerryYachts.pdf[bare URL PDF]