The people behind the latest attempt to link Gibsons and Horseshoe Bay by passenger ferry say they’re giving themselves about four more months to prove the route is viable.
Linda Feuerhelm of Pacific Ferries appeared Feb. 16 before Gibsons council, where she said the company has cut back to just one round trip a day – 5:10 p.m. out of Horseshoe Bay with a 5:40 p.m. return from Gibsons – because that’s the only one that’s had enough passengers to cover costs.
Feuerhelm also said the company has set itself a June deadline to show the service is viable. “If we haven’t made it by June, we’re in trouble,” Feuerhelm told councillors. “So, we’re going to give it until June, until tourism starts to kick off. We’re going to try to work with most of the tourism [operators], Destination BC, and Sunshine Coast Tourism.”
One thing that could help Pacific Ferries is a deal for a berth struck this week with the Gibsons Landing Harbour Authority, although they’ll have to wait for March for it to become available.
The Coastal Clipper’s current home port is on the Lower Mainland side, and Feuerhelm said being able to dock the boat in Gibsons will open up the possibility of a morning run from Gibsons to Horseshoe Bay. The company announced plans late Wednesday to start pre-booking for early morning sailings, and offer weekly commuter passes.
“To run the boat empty here, pick up commuters and drive them back, and compete with BC Ferries who’s doing it for free – it would kill us,” Feuerhelm said.
Feuerhelm also highlighted some other early issues that have now been worked out. She explained that with the help of Town staff they’ve been able to put together a map showing where passengers can leave their vehicles in Lower Gibsons long enough to take the trip without getting a parking ticket. Pacific Ferries has also been working with Coast Car Co-op to shuttle some passengers around within Gibsons.
Councillors were enthusiastic about the new service, and keen for the Town to do what it can to help it succeed.
“This is a priority of our council to try to make this happen,” Coun. Silas White pointed out, and Coun. Charlene SanJenko said she’s already heard from friends and business clients who’ve used the service.
Mayor Wayne Rowe added, “The message that you should be hearing is that we want to work with you to hopefully eliminate unnecessary obstacles.”
Feuerhelm also took the opportunity to quash what she called “frustrating” talk in the community about the Coastal Clipper itself. She said the Clipper is the sister ship of the Leviathan II, the Tofino-based whale watching ship that sank last fall claiming six lives. She noted, however, that the Leviathan II was radically modified, while the Coastal Clipper has not been changed from its original design.
