The Boats are in the Harbour and the Skippers are on Board
The Nanaimo Harbour Ferry Company is Ready For Its 1st Season

May 8, 2007: For Immediate Release, Nanaimo, BC: You may have already seen the cute little ‘pickle’ boats that, in early April, took up residence in Nanaimo’s Harbour to serve passengers on the Newcastle Shuttle route. Now get ready for some fun because Friday, May 18th marks the day the Nanaimo Harbour Ferry Company will become fully operational, introducing the new 45 minute tour that is sure to become one of Nanaimo’s most popular attractions.

The public is invited to join the ceremony and celebration beginning at 10am on the walkway adjacent to Fisherman’s Market Pier. After the first tour is launched, coupons for 250 free ‘mini-pickle’ harbour tours and 250 free ‘pickle’ ice cream cones will be distributed to those in attendance.

While those on shore are enjoying their ‘pickle’ treats, the inaugural passengers will enjoy a version of the new harbour tour. As with every trip, their tour will be guided by one of the friendliest people on the water, a Nanaimo Harbour Ferry Skipper.

“The Skippers are vital to our success and we have really been very fortunate to have hired the areas finest,” said operations manager, Barry Hobbis. “Not only does a skipper have to enjoy being on the water, he or she has to love people and love the city - we had no trouble finding Nanaimo folks with those attributes.”

Rick Cholack, James (Jimmy) Dunbar, Richard (Dick) Hobbis, Ken Ross, and Don Saigle are the first ever Nanaimo Harbour ferry skippers. The additional team members will be announced in the near future.

These skippers will guide the Harbour Tours which will travel around the working and historical points of interest in the harbour to introduce visitors and locals to the fascinating history that is hidden there. Passengers will be encouraged to end their tour with a ‘hop off’ at the Newcastle Island dock where they can stroll the island and return at their leisure.

The Nanaimo Harbour Ferry is a division of the Victoria Harbour Ferry Co. Ltd. which has been in operation for 17 years and has been declared Victoria’s #1 tourist attraction.

For schedules and information people may visit www.nanaimoharbourferry.com or call 1-877-297-8526.

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Media Contact:
Marie Zirk, APR
(250) 818-4755
(250) 598-3986