The Salish Eagle, which will soon be adorned with distinctive designs created by John Marston, was christened in an official naming ceremony in early June at a shipyard in Gdansk, Poland.

The Eagle is one of the three new Salish-class vessels that will be joining the BC Ferries fleet. Last year the First Peoples’ Cultural Council issued a call for Coast Salish artists’ designs for consideration. From 37 entries, three were chosen to create designs for the new ships.

In addition to Marston, Darlene Gait from Esquimalt Nation created designs for the Salish Orca and Thomas Cannell from Musqueam for the Salish Raven.

“These vessels, named after the Coast Salish people and the Salish Sea, represent British Columbia’s rich coastal culture and heritage,” said Mike Corrigan, BC Ferries president and CEO.

All three ships will be fuelled by natural gas, resulting in the reduction of an estimated 9,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, about the same as taking 1,900 passenger vehicles off the road annually.

The first of the 107-metre ferries – the Salish Orca – is planned to arrive in BC by the end of this year. The Salish Eagle is expected to arrive early in 2017 and the Salish Raven is expected to arrive in the spring.

The Salish Eagle and Salish Raven will provide service to the Southern Gulf Islands while the Salish Orca will sail on the Comox-Powell River route.