This week, BC Ferries revealed the name of the newest member of its fleet and fourth vessel in its Salish-class.
The Salish Heron is currently undergoing sea trials from its shipyard base in Poland, with plans to launch the vessel into service between Vancouver Island and the southern Gulf Islands in 2022.
In addition to the naming news, BC Ferries announced its partnership with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, and the call for Coast Salish artists to submit portfolios for consideration for the Salish Heron. Like its siblings in the Salish class, the Salish Heron will have striking and meaningful Coast Salish art on its exterior, as well as in select locations on the interior.
But if you were like many of the people taking a good look at images of the Salish Heron shared with the news, and perhaps a few weeks ago when she was launched into the Polish waters for the first time, you might be wondering: Why is this BC Ferries vessel brown? And not just plain brown, but brown with a BC Ferries logo?
We wondered, so we asked BC Ferries
We reached out to BC Ferries to make sure the Salish Heron wasn't ushering in a new era of poo-coloured ferries, and to further understand the building process when it comes to exteriors.
Here's the brief explainer a BC Ferries media spokesperson offered via e-mail: "The colour of the paint is primer. It will be painted white. All part of the various stages of construction. They use a stencil of the logo so they know where they are going to place it."
So there you have it. It's brown now, but will eventually match the rest of the fleet - with its own special soon-to-be-determined artwork.
Check out what the other three BC Ferries Salish-class vessels look like:
Salish Orca with artwork designed by Darlene Gait from Esquimalt Nation. By Photo via BC Ferries
Salish Raven with artwork designed by Thomas Cannell from Musqueam.. By Photo via BC Ferries
Salish Eagle with artwork designed by John Marston from Stz'uminus First Nation. By Photo via BC Ferries
