End of an era: BC Ferries’ Tachek expected to retire after nearly six decades on the water

One of BC Ferries’ oldest vessels is reaching the end of its long career.

The Tachek, a fixture on coastal routes for decades, is expected to retire from service as BC Ferries ushers in a new generation of ships.

The transition marks the end of an era for a vessel that first entered service in 1969, although it didn’t begin its career with BC Ferries.

Originally operated by the provincial Ministry of Transportation under a different name, the vessel joined the BC Ferries fleet in 1985. Over the years, it served several coastal communities, including routes in the Southern Gulf Islands and between Powell River and Texada Island, before spending the past decade connecting Quadra Island and Cortes Island.

“The vessel is being replaced by the Island Nagalis, which is scheduled to begin service between Quadra and Cortes islands on June 26, bringing significantly increased vehicle and passenger capacity to the route. It is also compatible with other Island Class vessels within our fleet, designed to support operational flexibility,” Sheila Reynolds with BC Ferries told CTV News.

At 57 years old, the Tachek is among the oldest vessels to sail in the BC Ferries fleet. While the ship is expected to be retired, BC Ferries says a final decision on its future has not yet been made.

“Retirement from service does not automatically mean the end of a vessel’s useful life, and each vessel is assessed based on its condition, risk profile and available options. Our goal is to make responsible decisions that protect passengers, crew, communities and the environment, while also being financially responsible and making practical, risk-informed choices that reflect the real costs and constraints facing the organization,” said Reynolds.

The vessel’s retirement also reflects BC Ferries’ broader effort to modernize its aging fleet with newer ships designed to improve capacity, efficiency and long-term reliability for passengers travelling between coastal communities.

While the Tachek is one of the oldest ships in the fleet, the title of oldest vessel still in service belongs to the Queen of New Westminster, which entered service in 1964.