TransLink’s Burrard Chinnok is celebrating its one-year anniversary.
One year ago, the Burrard Chinook emerged through an archway of water during its maiden voyage across the Burrard Inlet. Since then, the vessel has crossed the inlet more than 15,000 times, helping around one million passengers commute across the water. It has travelled approximately 49,000 kilometers (30,477 miles) and 26,000 nautical miles – which is more than enough distance to have gone all the way around the world.
Often described as the gem of the transit system because of its bright colors, the colorful vessel allows the agency to deliver 10-minute peak hour SeaBus sailings between the North Shore and Downtown Vancouver.
The maiden voyage
The Burrard Chinook made its first sailing across the Burrard Inlet on July 22, 2021, with help from friends at Vancouver Fire and Rescue to commemorate the moment with a water salute.
The artwork
The bright colors and unique art display the hard work of Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Joseph and Angela George – three artists from the three Nations that the Burrard Chinook serves each day. Each artist is from xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (the Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw (the Squamish Nation) or səlilwətaɬ, (the Tsleil-Waututh Nation).
The art surrounding the exterior of the vessel illustrates the importance and lifecycle of the Chinook salmon.
The name
The name was selected to honor the Chinook salmon, one of the most iconic species in Pacific Waters. The Chinook salmon has played a central role in life on the west coast of British Columbia for generations. It’s also a renowned swimmer and a critical part of the ecosystem in the Burrard Inlet and the northern Pacific Ocean. The name is displayed on the side of the vessel in three languages: hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim and English.