'I'm still proud of it': SeaBus celebrates 40 years since maiden voyage
New boat to be added to fleet, bumping up service to every 10 minutes during peak hours
Jack Case gazes across the Burrard Inlet towards the North Shore. He's sitting inside the Burrard Otter II — the newest SeaBus in TransLink's fleet.
The 85-year-old naval architect was hired to design the first SeaBus ferries over four decades ago.
"It comes very close to bringing tears to my eyes," he says, quietly reflecting at an event celebrating their 40 years of service. "What else can I say? I'm still proud of it."
Case developed the blueprint for the first two ferries, which hit the water on June 17, 1977, as well the terminals where they dock.
New vessels have been added to the fleet since Case was involved with the project — but his unique design continues to define the iconic commute between Londsale Quay and Waterfront Station.
Otters and beavers
Plans to establish the water transit system grew from the ashes of a proposed tunnel that would have run parallel to the Lions Gate Bridge in an effort to reduce traffic congestion between Vancouver and North Vancouver.
The project was heavily criticized and would have cost upwards of $400 million. The province eventually scrapped the idea in favour of a passenger-only ferry system.
Case's Victoria-based design firm was hired to take on the project.
"The system demanded the order to turn around the boats rapidly," he said. "Nobody pays your for passengers sitting in a ferry system not going anywhere."
The team developed the Burrard Otter and the Burrard Beaver, a pair of double-ended boats that wouldn't need to turn around once they left the docks.
"The basis was to have extremely rapid turnaround — you could unload 400 people in 40 seconds if you had to."
Extra capacity
TransLink has since designed two new boats, which feature the same design Case's team developed — only the windows are larger and the engines run quieter.
"When you're scurrying off to work in the morning, it doesn't hurt to drive through a beautiful harbour," said Case.
And another vessel is on the way.
On Wednesday, TransLink CEO Kevin Desmond announced the contract to build a new SeaBus had been awarded to Damen Shipyards — the same group that built the Burrard Otter II.
Desmond says when it enters the fleet in 2019, it will allow service on the route every 10 minutes at peak times, up from the current 15 minutes.
