Horseshoe Bay is a major ferry terminal owned and operated by BC Ferries in British Columbia, Canada. Located in the community of Horseshoe Bay, a neighbourhood of West Vancouver, the terminal provides a vehicle ferry link from the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and to Bowen Island, a small island in the southern part of Howe Sound.
Horseshoe Bay | |
|---|---|
| Ferry terminal | |
 A ferry departing the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal. | |
| General information | |
| Location | 6750 Keith Road West Vancouver, British Columbia Canada |
| Coordinates | 49°22′35″N 123°16′16″W / 49.37639°N 123.27111°W |
| Owned by | BC Ferries |
| Operated by | BC Ferries |
| Line(s) | Route 2–Departure Bay Route 3–Langdale Route 8–Snug Cove |
| Bus routes | 3 |
| Bus stands | 1 |
| Bus operators | |
| Connections |
|
| Construction | |
| Parking |
|
| Accessible | Yes |
| Other information | |
| Station code | HSB[1] |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Opened | 1951 |
| Original company | Black Ball Lines |
| Key dates | |
| 1961 | Acquired by the Government of British Columbia[2] |
| Passengers | |
| 2023 | 3 514 666[Note 1]  3.56% |
Comprising three berths, Horseshoe Bay is the third largest BC Ferries terminal, after Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay.[citation needed]
Establishment and expansion
In 1951, the Black Ball Line leased a wharf and began a service to Gibsons[2] (later relocated to Langdale).[3] In 1953, a new route to Departure Bay in Nanaimo was established.[4] In 1956, services to Bowen Island began when Black Ball replaced the Union Steamship Company of British Columbia.[5]
In 1961, the provincial government purchased the various Black Ball operations.[6] In the late 1960s, the terminal was reconstructed and expanded.[7][8] In 1976, a new upper deck loading ramp was built.[9]
In 2002, substantial improvements were completed at a cost of $39 million, which primarily addressed traffic awaiting embarkation on ferries. Holding stalls increased from 650 to 1,265 by absorbing former highway, removing a freeway bridge and truck runaway lane, and reconfiguring a highway interchange. Additional construction included a 450-car underground parkade and new buildings for foot passengers, amenities and maintenance.[10] A $250 million upgrade of the terminal is planned for the 2020s.[11]
On March 28, 2022, the first seismic sensor for British Columbia's earthquake early warning system was installed at the Horseshoe Bay terminal.[12]
Incidents and accidents
- 1966: Langdale Queen ran over a nearby rowboat; both occupants survived.[13]
- 1982: Queen of Surrey rammed the dock, causing significant damage.[14]
- 1985: Three occupants were killed when Queen of Cowichan ran over a pleasure boat near the terminal.[15]
- 1989: A structural steel load on an arriving truck shifted, striking seven parked vehicles and injuring two women in the holding lot.[16]
- 1990: After brakes failed, a loaded truck struck a parked van and spilled hot asphalt, killing two of the occupants and injuring others.[17] The truck driver received an 18-month sentence, increased to five years on appeal.[18] At a new trial, the driver was found guilty of dangerous driving but not criminal negligence.[19]
- 1991: Robbers stole $12,000 in coin from a safe at the terminal.[20]
- 1995: Queen of Coquitlam slammed into pilings, damaging its bow.[21]
- 2005: Queen of Oak Bay lost control and smashed into a number of private boats at the marina in Horseshoe Bay; no fatalities were reported.[22]
- 2019: A crew member was significantly injured after being hit by the Queen of Cowichan's bow door, which was having trouble opening at the terminal.[23]
- 2022: A minor rock slide on January 2 closed the parkade for rock removal and structural repairs. The parkade was re-opened on May 18, 2022.[24][25]
Gallery
Cars lining up at the terminal.
A ferry departing the terminal.
Queen of Oak Bay departing the terminal.
Entrance to the terminal.
Queen of Capilano arrives at the terminal.
