BC Ferries Powell River Class

The Powell River class is a series of three vessels owned and operated by BC Ferries. All vessels were built by the Victoria Machinery Depot.

These three vessels were originally built with snack bars, however they were eventually removed from the Powell River Queen and Mayne Queen. Bowen Queen retained its snack bar for use on certain routes such as 5 while replacing Queen of Cumberland, 7, 8 due main vessels on route all having snack bar on board, and was used on 9A due sailing times; but, when on other minor routes including 5a while replacing her sister Mayne Queen the snack bar remains closed.

Powell River Queen

Powell River Queen
Built	1965, Victoria
IMO number	6515796
Status	Active
Home base	Quathiaski Cove
Route(s) served	23

Powell River Queen was the first Powell River class vessel built for BC Ferries.

Upon entering service, Powell River Queen operated on its namesake route 7, replacing Jervis Queen. In 1973, the vessel underwent modifications to increase overheight vehicle capacity, by removing the two "saddle" passenger lounges overtop of the side lanes. The main passenger lounge was also raised and expanded at this time. Powell River Queen underwent more modifications in 1979, being lengthened by 22 metres to increase vehicle capacity from 50 to 70 cars, and having its engines replaced.

In 1991, Queen of Capilano entered service on route 7. This displaced Powell River Queen, which was then assigned to route 23, replacing Quadra Queen II and Tachek.

Engines	Max speed	Length	Displacement	Vehicle capacity	Passenger capacity
Four RADs 3,598 hp	14.5 knots	84.96 m	1,638 tonnes	59 autos	400

Mayne Queen

Mayne Queen
Built	1965, Victoria
IMO number	6522567
Status	Active
Home base	Swartz Bay
Route(s) served	5

Mayne Queen was the second Powell River class vessel built for BC Ferries.

Mayne Queen was assigned to route 5, replacing Cy Peck. In anticipation of serving the numerous small islands along this route, it was equipped with side ramps, enabling it to load/unload at a pier, at Gulf Islands that did not yet have a regular terminal ramp. In 1979, the vessel was lengthened to increase vehicle capacity from 50 to 70 cars. At this time, it had new engines installed, and the side ramps were removed.

Engines	Max speed	Length	Displacement	Vehicle capacity	Passenger capacity
Four RADs 3,598 hp	14.5 knots	84.96 m	1,638 tonnes	56 autos	400

Bowen Queen

Bowen Queen
Built	1965, Victoria
IMO number	6600967
Status	Decommissioned March 27, 2022
Home base	Fulford Harbour (off peak season) Vesuvius Bay (peak season)
Route(s) served	6 (peak season) 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 19, 23 (replacement)

Bowen Queen was the third and final Powell River class vessel built for BC Ferries.

Upon entering service, Bowen Queen was assigned to its namesake route 8. It replaced the previous Bowen Queen on route 8, which was renamed Vesuvius Queen and transferred to route 6 in order to replace George S. Pearson. In 1971, the Howe Sound Queen replaced Bowen Queen on route 8, at which time it shifted to operating on routes 4 and 5, replacing Pender Queen. In 1979, the vessel was lengthened to increase vehicle capacity from 50 to 70 cars, and was refitted with new engines.

After Skeena Queen entered service in 1997, Bowen Queen began operating during the summer as a second vessel on route 9A. During the rest of the year, it functions as a relief vessel for many minor and intermediate size ships, and can be found on a variety of routes. After the Salish class entered service in 2017, Bowen Queen became a full-time relief vessel. Among other relief duties, it was assigned to route 25 during the summer of 2018 and 2019 to provide additional capacity over the regular vessel, Quadra Queen II, and to route 6 during the spring and summer of 2020 and 2021, replacing Quinitsa in the same capacity.

Engines	Max speed	Length	Displacement	Vehicle capacity	Passenger capacity
Four RADs 3,598 hp	14.5 knots	84.96 m	1,637 tonnes	52 autos	400