BACK IN BUSINESS: Local Roastery rebounds for the holidays PAGE 6
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2022
HAPPY HANUKKAH!
VOL. 48 NO. 48
BIUndercurrent
BowUndercurrent www.bowenislandundercurrent.com
The Candles are lit PAGE 13
Bowen / Vancouver passenger ferry continues planning GREENLINE FERRIES ELECTRIC VESSEL COULD FERRY FOLKS TO THE MAINLAND IN 45 MINUTES ALEX KURIAL Editor
CHRISTMAS COLOURS: The Marina lawn is always a beautiful sight when lit up for Christmas particularly after a fresh fall of snow. There’s a good chance we could be in for a white Christmas here on Bowen given the recent snow blasts that have hit the island. But either way, the decorations and spirit around town will make it a magical place. Happy Holidays to everyone, and have a great NewYear too! / Alex Kurial photo
The first sailing is still several years away, but planning is well underway for a future passenger ferry between Bowen Island and the mainland. Greenline Ferries and its CEO Callum Campbell announced last month their intention to establish the service on routes from Vancouver to Bowen, and also Gibsons on the Sunshine Coast. Campbell was on Bowen last week to provide local council with more information on the project. “They want reliable service at an affordable price,” answered Campbell to a question he posed to begin the presentation: what do people want in a transportation service? This concept will be especially appealing to Bowen Islanders after they saw a dozen or more BC ferries sailings cancelled December 18 due to staff shortages, the second time in just over two weeks that happened. Campbell listed some other attributes his company is looking for in a ferry service, including the ships being green and clean. The plan is to have both vessels servicing the routes be fully electric, able to travel the longer 75 minute journey from downtown Vancouver to Gibsons and back on a 25 minute charge at the ferry terminal. Norway’s MS Medstraum is the case study for this type of ship, a battery powered ferry that runs between the cities of Stavanger and Hommersåk. CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
M May you never be too grown up to search the skies on Christmas Eve. s
RHODES ON BOWEN
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