One year ago today, the Burrard Chinook emerged through an archway of water during its maiden voyage across the Burrard Inlet. Since then, the vessel has crossed the inlet over 15,000 times, helping around 1 million passengers commute across the water. It has travelled approximately 49,000 kilometres and 26,000 nautical miles – which is more than enough distance to have gone all the way around the world.

Often described as the gem of our transit system because of its bright colours – the colourful vessel allows us to reliably deliver 10-minute peak hour SeaBus sailings between the North Shore and Downtown Vancouver.

Learn more about the vessel and how you can help us celebrate its birthday below!

The maiden voyage

The Burrard Chinook made its first sailing across the Burrard Inlet on July 22, 2021. Did you know that our friends at Vancouver Fire and Rescue helped to commemorate the moment with a water salute? Watch the video of its first voyage below:

The artwork

The bright colours and unique art display the hard work of Kelly Cannell, Siobhan Joseph, and Angela George – three incredible artists from the three Nations that the Burrard Chinook serves each day. Each artist is from xʷməθkʷəyə̓m (the Musqueam Indian Band),  Sḵwxw̱ ú7mesh Úxwumixw (the Squamish Nation), or səlilwətaɬ, (the Tsleil-Waututh Nation).

The art surrounding the exterior of the vessel illustrates the importance and lifecycle of the Chinook salmon.

Hear more about their process and what the art means to them here:

The name
The name was selected to honour the Chinook salmon, one of the most iconic species in Pacific Waters. The Chinook salmon has played a central role in life on the west coast of British Columbia for generations. It’s also a renowned swimmer and a critical part of the ecosystem in the Burrard Inlet and the northern Pacific Ocean. We’re honoured to display the Chinook name on the side of the vessel in three languages: hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh sníchim, and English.

Help us celebrate!

Help us celebrate the vessel’s birthday by tagging @translink on Twitter or Instagram with your favourite picture of the Burrard Chinook. Here is a series of our favourite photos, to kick us off: