| M.V. Mill Bay | |
| Place Built | Victoria, BC |
| Year Built | 1956 |
| Vehicle Capacity | 16 |
| Passenger Capacity | 134 (+ 4 crew) |
| Length | 36.58 m |
| Gross Tons | 174.89 |
| Service Speed | 8.5 knots |
| Horsepower | 152 |
| Est. Retirement Year* | 2009/2010 |
| Onboard Services | Washrooms (Not accessable to the disabled) |
| * From BC Ferries Coastal Ferry Services Contract (2003) |
Notes of Interest:
- Built in 1956, Mill Bay is now the oldest ferry in the BC Ferries fleet.
- Mill Bay operates on the Mill Bay - Brentwood Bay route, across Saanich Inlet. The Mill Bay has operated on this route for the past 46 years, even before BC Ferries was formed.
- Of the car ferries in the BC Ferries fleet, Mill Bay is the smallest in gross tons and is tied for the smallest car capacity at 16.
- Mill Bay has the lowest horsepower (152) of any ship in the fleet (including the passenger-only Dogwood Princess II when it was with BC Ferries) and the slowest service speed (8.5 knots).
- The Mill Bay - Brentwood Bay route has been a money loser for quite some time and has been threatened with closure several times in recent history but it has recently gotten a new lease on life.
- The Mill Bay has limited seating. The only "lounge" is down near the engine room (no view) and the washrooms are up near the wheelhouse. It is a very interesting little ferry!
- BC Ferries calls the Mill Bay - Brentwood Bay, "Vancouver Island's most beautiful shortcut," and I can't really disagree.
| Year | Event |
| 1920's | Brentwood Bay - Mill Bay route began with the Cascade and later the Brentwood to bypass a very deficient Malahat Highway. For a short history of the route, visit this site: The Oldest BC Route. |
| 1956 | Launched. Built for Sparky New's Coastal Ferries and replaced M.V. Brentwood on the route across Saanich Inlet. |
| 1969 | June - Coast Ferries was bought by BC Ferries and the Mill Bay was added to the BC Ferries fleet. | 1989 | May 29 - Mill Bay ran aground near the Mill Bay ferry terminal. |
| 2001 | BC Ferries ensures the survival of the Mill Bay by giving her a refit and upgrading both of the terminals. |
Quick Links:
Ferry Profiles Page - Ferry Terminal - BC Ferries Discussion Board.
Page/Images by John Hammersmark.
This page was last updated on September 6, 2005.