TransLink’s new SeaBus, the Burrard Otter II, set out today for its maiden voyage after a special event and ribbon cutting at Lonsdale Quay. The event was attended by TransLink Board Chair Marcella Szel as well as members of the media and representatives from government, including:

• Andrew Saxton, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament for North Vancouver
• Jordan Sturdy, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure
• Richard Walton, Mayor of North Vancouver District and Mayors’ Council Chair
• Greg Moore, Mayor of Port Coquitlam and Metro Vancouver Regional District Board Chair

After a ribbon cutting, the Burrard Otter II left the Lonsdale Quay docks shortly after 10:45 am for Waterfront Station to enter service. At Waterfront, eager customers met the Burrard Otter II for its first revenue sailing at 11 am.

One of the noticeable passenger improvements onboard the Burrard Otter II are the seats and windows. Both proved to be a hit among the first passengers. Jem Rodriguez was heading to North Vancouver for work at Save-On-Foods. She tells me the new seats on the vessel are “comfy” and she looks forward to a more enjoyable commute. “It’s pretty nice, it’s calm and I really like the big windows,” Jem adds.

Elfren Ordanza and Dennis Tsang were also there for the 11 am sailing. Neither of them take the SeaBus on their regular commute, but couldn’t resist being one of the first passengers!

“I really like the big windows at each end, so children don’t have to stand on the seats [to get a view of the Inlet]. I also like the aisle down the middle, the nicer looking seats and the ride is pretty smooth. I enjoy the ride,” Elfren says.

“It’s really big. It’s really quiet compared to old ones and the seats are nice,” Dennis says. “It’s great to see TransLink renewing the SeaBus and that it is going to be around the next while.”

The SeaBus departs from Lonsdale Quay and Waterfront every 15 minutes during the day. Go on – take your first ride on the Burrard Otter II today!

Share your pictures of the vessel with us by tweeting them to @TheBuzzer, posting them on Instagram and mentioning @TransLinkBC or emailing them to thebuzzer@translink.ca. What do you think of the ride? Let us know in the comments section!

A hyper-lapse of the Burrard Otter II making it’s maiden voyage from Waterfront Station @TransLinkBC @TransLinkMedia #SeaBus #Vancouver

A video posted by Vancouver Lookout (@vancouverlookout) on Dec 12, 2014 at 11:37am PST

Photo Gallery

Author: Allen Tung