BC Ferries Sells MV Tenaka to Local Company

BC Ferries announced the company has sold the 52 year-old MV Tenaka to Lady Rose Marine Services of Port Alberni, B.C. following a competitive bidding process.

The 43-metre MV Tenaka was built in 1964 at Victoria Machinery Depot, and accommodates 24 vehicles and 100 passengers and crew. The vessel primarily serviced the Quadra Island – Cortes Island route and last sailed in the fleet in December of 2014.

Lady Rose Marine Services will take possession of the vessel in mid-May and after they conduct a drydock and maintenance period, they intend to put the vessel into service by the end of this year, providing passenger and freight service from the Alberni Inlet.

“When retiring vessels from our fleet, our first preference is always to find a buyer who will use the ship for continued commercial operation so we are pleased that the MV Tenaka will continue to operate right here in British Columbia,” said Mark Wilson, BC Ferries’ Vice President of Engineering.

“Our company has been in business for over 70 years providing passenger and freight service from the Alberni Inlet to Bamfield and Ucluelet on the west coast of Vancouver Island,” said Mike Surrell, owner of Lady Rose Marine Services. “With the acquisition of the MV Tenaka, we will continue to be the biggest tourism operator in Port Alberni employing local staff and supporting local businesses.”

BC Ferries cannot disclose the price the company received for the MV Tenaka as two other ferries will be retired soon and offered for sale. The company needs to protect the competitive bid processes for those sales and maximize the price received for those ships.