 MVKulleet operating as theAlbion Ferry in June 2009 | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | K class (K barge) |
| Operators | BC Ferries |
| Built | 1972–1975 and 2006 refit |
| Completed | 6 |
| Active | 4 |
| Retired | 2 |
The K-classferries (often referred to as "K-barges" due to theirhull type and size) are a group of similarly designed ferries operated by bothBC Ferries andTransLink inBritish Columbia, Canada.
With the exception of MVPune'luxutth, all of the listed K-class vessels were built for service inBritish Columbia's Ministry of Highways salt water inter-island ferry fleet which was absorbed byBC Ferries in 1985.
(formerly MVDenman Queen)
Built: 1972,Vancouver,British Columbia
Length: 47.46 m (155 ft 9 in)
Power: 600 hp
Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 352.58
Car Capacity: 26
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 195
Route: Brentwood Bay–Mill Bay
Klitsa has been in BC Ferries maintenance facility, called Deas Dock, quite often during past years. She currently services the Brentwood Bay – Mill Bay route replacing theMV Mill Bay which went up for sale on February 24, 2011. Her name comes from a mountain nearSproat Lake[1]
Built: 1973,Vancouver,British Columbia
Length: 54.75 m (179 ft 8 in)
Power: 640 hp
Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 466
Car Capacity: 30
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 200
Route: Denman Island–Hornby Island
Kahloke sometimes aided theAlbion Ferries, owned byTransLink when one was out of service. This was not the first ferry namedKahloke to operate on the BC coast. The 1903 builtAsbury Park served asKahloke from 1952 to 1964 and was then renamedLangdale Queen. Her name comes from theChinook Jargon for swan.[1][2]
Built: 1975,Victoria, British Columbia
Length: 71.64 m (235 ft 0 in)
Power: 730 hp
Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 347.49
Car Capacity: 26
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 154
Route: Skidegate–Alliford Bay
Kwuna is different from the other K-class vessels. It has loading ramps attached to the vessel, not to land like the others. It docks at concrete boat-launch-like ramps, then lowers the vehicle ramp down to the ground. Her name means 'point' or 'headland' inHaida and refers to a geographic feature nearby.[1][3]
(formerly MVJohn Atlantic Burr, and MVKuper)[4]
Built: 1985,Bullfrog, Utah
Rebuilt: 2006,Vancouver,British Columbia
Length: 52.21 m (171 ft 4 in)
Power: 2 x 475 hp
Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 648
Car Capacity: 32
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 269
Route:Chemainus–Thetis Island–Penelakut Island
Pune'luxutth is the newest of the K-barges and started service in 2006.
The former MVJohn Atlantic Burr operated onUtah'sLake Powell as of early September 2005. The following winter, the vessel was cut into four sections, transported by truck toBritish Columbia, and reassembled as MVKuper, with significant modification and enlargement. The ship costUS$ 200,000 andCA$4.5 million to refit and enlarge, which was considered quite a savings compared to the cost of building a new vessel which was estimated atCA$20 million. She shared her name with the former name ofPenelakut Island. In December 2023, she was renamedPune'luxutth in the spirit of reconciliation, and to recognise the harm and grief associated with the name Kuper, and its connections with the former Residential School on island. Pune'luxutth was a name chosen by the Penelakut tribe, and means Penelakut in the Hul'q'u'umi'num' language.[5][6]
Built: 1972,Vancouver,British Columbia
Length: 47.46 m (155 ft 9 in)
Power: 650 hp
Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 355.04
Car Capacity: 26
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 150
Route:Albion–Fort Langley (Defunct)
Built: 1972,Vancouver,British Columbia
Length: 47.46 m (155 ft 9 in)
Power: 650 hp
Service Speed: 10 knots
Gross Tonnage: 347.58
Car Capacity: 26
Passenger & Crew Capacity: 150
Route: Albion–Fort Langley (Defunct)
BothKulleet andKlatawa were owned and operated by Metro Vancouver's Transportation Authority,TransLink, and they ran theAlbion–Fort Langley route on theFraser River, between theMaple Ridge suburb of Albion south to McMillan Island inFort Langley. On July 31, 2009, the Albion Ferry was shut down after the opening of theGolden Ears Bridge. The ferry had connected Maple Ridge and Langley via the Fraser River since 1957.Kulleet andKlatawa had been put into service in the 1980s.
The two Albion ferries were sold for $400,000 – less than half of the original asking price of $1.1 million. TransLink said in a news release on December 30, 2011, that MVKulleet and MVKlatawa have been bought by Tidal Towing, a B.C.-based company.[citation needed] Both ships have since been bought and renamed by Diversified Marine ofHalfmoon Bay.Klatawa has been renamed toMarena Mac andKulleet toNelson Mac.[7][8]
Both ships' names are of native origin, with Klatawa being the verb 'to go' in Chinook Jargon and Kulleet referring to Kulleet Bay, which literally means 'Bay Bay' as Kulleet means 'bay' inIsland Halkomelem.[9]