BC Ferries revealed the name of its sixth Island-class Ro-Pax ferry at a naming ceremony at Victoria's Point Hope Maritime on Tuesday, January 11.
Island Gwawis is the last vessel of its class to enter the fleet and will allow for the Nanaimo Harbour to Gabriola Island route to be serviced by two Island-class vessels.
The chosen name Gwawis is the translation of "raven of the sea" in the 'Na̲mg̲is First Nation's dialect.
The ferry has the capacity to carry 47 vehicles and up to 450 passengers and crew. A battery hybrid propulsion system is installed though the vessel is designed for full electric operation in the future.
Island Gwawis was built by Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.