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Mill Bay Ferry. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Mill Bay Ferry

Mill Bay is a single propeller ferry that operated the Mill-Brentwood Bay route in Vancouver, Canada. It was one of the smallest and oldest ships in the BC Ferries’ fleet.  Brentwood Bay terminal is a 20-minute drive north of Victoria on Vancouver Island.

  Mill Bay ferry terminal is on the southeast of Vancouver Island. British Columbia Ferries provide the ferry service between the two terminals.

The route has been described as the ‘Island’s most beautiful shortcut’.  It is a particularly scenic route across the Saanich inlet on Victoria.

 It is also convenient as it takes less time than traveling by road. The air is fresh and the views are beautiful. It is the oldest ferry link in British Columbia.

MV Mill Bay operated along this route until its replacement in 2011 by MV Klitsa. It was the smallest-carrying ferry in the fleet.

Here are the top 10 interesting facts about Mill Bay Ferry.

1. Mill Bay Ferry was built in the 1950s

‘Brentwood ferry’ ahd operated the Brentwood Bay to Mill Bay ferry link. It had been in service for over 50 years!

Aging and needing replacement, Coast Ferries Limited, the ferry service at the time, contracted a builder for a new one.

The firm contracted was the Victoria Machinery Depot, a shipyard in Victoria, Canada. They built ferries, naval vessels, wood-burning stoves, manhole covers, oil platforms, and boilers.

2. It entered service on July 20, 1956

Ships docking at Brentwood Bay. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

Upon its completion, it was ready to operate on the Brentwood- Mill bay route. Although it had been constructed with a view of having it replace the old ‘Brentwood’, the two ferries operated together across the Saanich inlet route for about two years.

The Mill Bay was in service from 1956 until its retirement in 2011, having ferried passengers for 55 years!

3. Mill Bay Ferry was first run by Coast Ferries Limited

The Brentwood to Mill Bay ferry was first operated by the Cascade Freight and Trading Company in 1924. Initial service was provided with a coastal steamer, the SS Cascade which was later rebranded ‘Brentwood’.

In 1945, the company was bought out by Coast Ferries Limited. Coast Ferries ordered the construction of Mill Bay. In 1969, it was bought out by British Columbia Ferries. BC Ferries continued to run Mill Bay until she terminated service in 2011.

4. She was the smallest car-carrying ferry on the BC Ferries fleet

Mill Bay Ferry, three traffic lanes. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

The Mill Bay ferry measures approximately 123ft in length. It was the second smallest ship among the fleet owned by BC Ferris.

It could hold about 16 vehicles, a hundred and thirty-six passengers ,and 2 crew members. Its maximum speed was 17km/h.

Mill Bay was powered by an L Gardner & Sons model 8L3 straight-eight engine.

5. She ran aground on the beach once

Mill Bay Ferry Dock. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

It was on May 29, 1989, when she ran aground in an area south of the Mill Bay Ferry Terminal. Investigations were carried out. It was discovered that her captain had fallen asleep due to exhaustion.

He had participated in a long-distance sailing race, the Swiftsure International Yacht Race. Luckily, minimal damage was occassioned.

The ship was pulled back safely into deep water. This was probably the worst accident she ever had.

In July of the same year, the May Bay lost power in the middle of Saanich inlet due to a hitch in the fuel lines. The lines were repaired as May Bay drafted to the dock using her power.

6. Mill Bay Ferry service was almost withdrawn in 2000

MV Mill Bay. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

In 2000, Mill Bay had been in service for 44 years.  She had begun wearing out and BC Ferries proposed to withdraw her service across the Brentwood –Mill Bay ferry route.

However, this proposal was opposed by strong local protests. Businesses, residents, and other interest groups ran a huge campaign by demonstrating, writing letters, and signing petitions.

They managed to convince the government and BC Ferries to continue running the service for another 10 years.

7. She was temporarily removed from service in 2001

In 2001, it was undeniable that Mill Bay needed repair. She was removed from service for about two months in the summer.

 During that time, she underwent refurbishment. This included a replacement of some worn-out sections of steel plating in the hull and the addition of radar.

The bridge was also extended. Furthermore, repairs and upgrades were done at the terminals in Mill and Brentwood Bays. The total cost including vessel repair amounted to about 3.8 million Canadian dollars.

8. Mill Bay did not have many passenger amenities

MV Mill Bay at the dock. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

Mill Bay was the smallest ship in BC Ferries’ fleet. She had  minimal passenger amenities, as the trip across the route is considerably short.

She had washrooms however, but they could not be accessed by the disabled. There is a small lounge beneath the car deck. For emergency purposes, Mill Bay had two life rafts at the car deck level.

9. She was a favorite for cyclists as a shorter bike route

Mill Bay was generally a convenient means of transport due to its shorter route. It took about 20 to 30 minutes to dock at Brentwood Bay.

Cyclists easily connected the Saanich Peninsula and the Cowichan Valley without going over the mountain.

In 2009, Raymond J. Parker reported that cyclists used Mill Bay as a shortcut for a Vancouver Island 300 km bike route.

10. The Mill Bay finally retired in 2011

MV Klitsa on first day of service. She replaced MV Mill Bay. Photo by Kiwibirdman.

In 2001, a report was prepared for the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation regarding traffic capacity. It indicated that BC Ferries’ Mill Bay service was uneconomical.

Service, however, remained in place through 2011. In February 2011, MV Mill Bay was put up for sale. The route was temporarily closed from May to June 2011.

A new ferry, the MV Klitsa replaced the Mill Bay. She now services the Brentwood Bay- Mill Bay route.