Nine months after coming under new ownership, and after almost two years of COVID-19 restrictions, the MV Frances Barkley is adding a Sunday run to Bamfield.

Lady Rose Marine Services will be bringing back the Sunday sailings on the Alberni Inlet for the month of August, says Greg Willmon, principal owner of Devon Transport, which bought the Port Alberni business in August 2021.

The Sunday runs will depart from the Lady Rose Marine dock at 9 a.m. instead of the usual 8 a.m. in order to accommodate people driving into Port Alberni. The ride to the west coast takes approximately three and a half hours. Passengers will have two hours in Bamfield instead of the usual one hour, giving them more time to explore, Willmon said.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檒l just be on the west side of Bamfield,B次元官网网址� he added.

The MV Frances Barkley hasnB次元官网网址檛 done a Sunday Bamfield run in a few years; the vessel used to stop at a lodge the company owned partway down the Inlet to pick up and drop off visitors, but the lodge was sold and the Sunday run was halted a few years ago.

Sunday sailings will start Aug. 7 and run until Aug. 28, and can be reserved by calling 250-723-8313.

The MV Frances Barkley transports passengers, freight, vital supplies and mail year-round to isolated communities up and down the Alberni Inlet. Regularly scheduled runs still depart at 8 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Willmon said the past nine months of ownership has been B次元官网网址渁 wonderful experience so far. WeB次元官网网址檙e still not up to pre-COVID passenger levels yet.B次元官网网址�

However, theyB次元官网网址檙e getting there: on Tuesday, July 12 they had 96 passengers, the largest crowd theyB次元官网网址檝e had since the Nanaimo-based company took over.

The MV Frances Barkley was retrofitted earlier this year to include updated navigational aids and to reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent. The vessel is fully licenced to serve alcoholic beverages, and a new menu was recently unveiled in the caf茅.

Devon TransportB次元官网网址檚 investment in Lady Rose Marine Services is a big deal for Port Alberni and the west coast, says Port Alberni Mayor Sharie Minions. The new owners were recently awarded the 2022 Business Investment award by the Alberni Valley Chamber of Commerce.

B次元官网网址淭his is a critical piece of the tourism industry for our community and obviously so incredibly important transportation-wise for the whole region and smaller remote communities,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淛ust having the stability and having someone who really cares about continuing the service is just incredible.B次元官网网址�

Willmon and his partner kept the same staff when they bought Lady Rose Marine Services, including manager Mike SurrellB次元官网网址攚ho recently signed another one-year contract to remain in that position. One of their captains has since retired but agreed to remain as a backup captain. Willmon said they have some tentative plans for expansion of their operations, but nothing concrete. Knowing the 73-acre Somass Sawmill lands will eventually be developed has Willmon anticipating a big future for the marine-based business.

B次元官网网址淭he two (Somass and Lady Rose Marine property) tie in so closely together, itB次元官网网址檚 going to be excitingB次元官网网址攋ust the improvements to the waterfront,B次元官网网址� said Willmon.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e got hopes in the future of hopefully expanding on the marina that we have here. Eventually weB次元官网网址檙e going to develop the building,B次元官网网址� he added. B次元官网网址淚 think youB次元官网网址檒l find over the next two years there will be lots of changes.B次元官网网址�

Willmon spent 12 years living in Port Alberni and has a number of other business interests in the city, including partnership in Budget Rent-A-Car and some commercial real estate investments.

B次元官网网址淧ort Alberni has still got a real big spot in my heart. I loved the time I spent here and weB次元官网网址檙e only an hour away. My future in Port Alberni is still pretty bright.B次元官网网址�

susie.quinn@albernivalleynews.com
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