The artwork for the last of three Salish Class vessels commissioned by BC Ferries has been revealed.

Artist Thomas Cannell

Musqueam artist Thomas Cannell’s work for the Salish Raven was revealed at the nation’s cultural centre on Feb. 9. All three new ferries will soon be cruising the Salish Sea, replacing two older vessels that are being retired.

The Salish Eagle’s design by Stz’uminus artist John Marston was revealed last September while the Salish Orca’s design by Esquimalt artist Darlene Gait was revealed one year ago.

The Salish Eagle departed the Poland shipyards where it was built on Feb. 11 and is set to arrive in BC this spring. The Salish Orca arrived in BC from Poland earlier this year. The Salish Raven will soon make the same 50-day journey.

Cannell said he is honoured that he was hired to create the design for the third vessel.

“Ravens have always been my favorite to draw and study, their strength lies in recognizing
opportunity,” he said. “I have tried to capture this enormous sense of being within my design concept for Salish Raven.”

Cynthia Callison with the First Peoples’ Cultural Council, which worked with BC Ferries to find artists, said she is happy Coast Salish designs will be featured on the widely seen ships for years to come.

The Salish Orca will sail the Comox-Powell River route while the other two will sail to the Southern Gulf Islands.