Powell River, BC; September 1, 2012;

O.N.: 310431;

built 1958 by Allied Shipbuilders Ltd., Vancouver, BC;
L x B x D: 131.3 x 35.0 x 11.0 ft.;
1971 rebuilt at North Vancouver, BC by Burrard Dry Dock
Co. Ltd. 185' x 56.9' x 13.1' 51.55m x 17.37m x 4.05 m;
(rebuilt with a catamaran hull);

originally named Island Princess, commonly referred to as "IP,"
ferry was sailing from Kelsey Bay to Sointula under the
Company of Coast Ferries owned by Sparky New;
BC Ferries took her over in 1971 and turned her into the first
catamaran car ferry in their fleet;
renamed the North Island Princess when Princess Cruise Lines
wanted to name their cruise ship the Island Princess;
cars were loaded one by one using a pallet while alongside the
government docks;
occasionally when the ship was full, a car could be hung
over the side of the bulwarks if the owner requested to
get on, but only after signing off on a liability disclaimer;
affectionately known as the "NIP," she is the oldest
vessel in the BC Ferries fleet, operating between Powell
River (Westview) and Texada Island (Blubber Bay).