We live on an island. A big island, granted, but an island nonetheless. When we want off the island, we take the Toot Ferry (BC Ferries); when it’s time to come home, she’s there, waiting for us.

Most of the images here were taken on the 18 hour run from Vancouver Island (Port Hardy) to Prince Rupert. Ten years ago on that run, the Queen of the North was heading south from Prince Rupert with 101 persons aboard. On March 22, 2006, she failed to make a planned course change, ran aground and sank with the loss of two lives. The nearby indigenous community of Hartley Bay rescued, clothed and fed the passengers until help arrived. The government’s thank you to Hartley Bay was sadly too little, too late.