Vancouver Island ferry company sold to new owners

Lady Rose Marine Services, a ferry company based in the British Columbia city of Port Alberni, has confirmed that it will cease operations as an independently-owned entity on August 31, 2021.

The company’s business and assets have been acquired by local operator Devon Transport. The acquired assets include the 36-metre ferry Frances Barkley, which will resume sailings in Alberni Inlet and Barkley Sound under its new owners.

Lady Rose Marine had cited the difficulties caused by the Covid-19 pandemic as its reason for ceasing operations after more than 75 years of providing passenger and freight transport services in the waters off Vancouver Island.