# Aquabus

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aquabus
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Aquabus.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquabus
> Source revision: 1342435267
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

"The Aquabus" redirects here. For the water taxi in Erie, Pennsylvania, see [Presque Isle Water Taxi](/source/Presque_Isle_Water_Taxi).

The **Aquabus**, also known as Aquabus Ferries Ltd., is a privately owned and operated ferry service that provides commuter and sightseeing services[1] to locations all along [False Creek](/source/False_Creek) of central [Vancouver](/source/Vancouver), British Columbia, Canada. The Aquabus started service in 1986.[2][3]

## History

The beginning of ferry service throughout False Creek occurred in the summer of 1979 when Brian and Laura Beesley began operating a tour and water taxi service around Granville Island and False Creek.[3][4] The Aquabus Ferry Company was formed in 1986 by Jeff Pratt, the son of George Pratt who was a former partner at competitor [Granville Island Ferries](/source/False_Creek_Ferries) division False Creek Ferries.[1] It has since grown along with the population surrounding [False Creek](/source/False_Creek). Four Benford designed ferries were in operation by [Expo 86](/source/Expo_86) and the additional three plus a bicycle ferry, *Cyquabus I*, were in service by 1995.[5] The heritage ferry, the *Rainbow Hunter*, was built in 1950.[6] As Vancouver grew, Aquabus incorporated two more versatile and spacious bicycle ferries, the *Cyquabus II* and the *Cyquabus III*, in 2003[7] and 2006.[8] In mid-2008, one of the Benford ferries was converted to a fully electric propulsion system and was used as a test platform for Aquabus' exploration of alternative energy.[9] In the second quarter of 2010, the Aquabus Ferry Company acquired two new bicycle ferries, *Cyquabus IV* and *Cyquabus V*, and sold the heritage *Rainbow Hunter*.

## Fleet

As of 2008, the Aquabus Ferry Company fleet was composed of fourteen vessels,[9] divided into two classes:

- Seven traditional Aquabus vessels, designed specifically for this purpose by naval architect Jay Benford.[10] These vessels run year round with a carrying capacity of twelve, plus one skipper. In 2008, *Aquabus IV* was converted to use an electric motor.[9]
- Seven Cyquabus ferries, designed to accommodate those with bicycles, strollers, and wheelchairs, as well as regular passengers. The *Cyquabus I* was designed and assembled in 1995 by owner Jeff Pratt in his backyard from pieces made to his specifications by Aggressive Tube Bending of [Burnaby](/source/Burnaby), British Columbia.[5] *Cyquabus I* was decommissioned in the fourth quarter of 2010 following 15 years of service on False Creek as the Aquabus' first bicycle ferry.

## Stop list

The Aquabus makes scheduled stops at the following locations:

- Hornby Street's south foot
- [Granville Island](/source/Granville_Island), next to the [Arts Club Theatre](/source/Arts_Club_Theatre_Company)
- David Lam Park at Homer Street
- Stamp's Landing near Mahony’s Tavern False Creek restaurant
- Spyglass Place near [Olympic Village](/source/2010_Olympic_Village) beneath the [Cambie Bridge](/source/Cambie_Bridge) on the south shore
- [Yaletown](/source/Yaletown) at the foot of [Davie Street](/source/Davie_Street)
- [Plaza of Nations](/source/Plaza_of_Nations)
- [Science World](/source/Science_World_(Vancouver)), across from the [SkyTrain](/source/SkyTrain_(Vancouver))'s [Main Street–Science World station](/source/Main_Street%E2%80%93Science_World_station)

## See also

- [False Creek Ferries](/source/False_Creek_Ferries) – operates passenger ferries from Granville Island
- [English Bay Launch](/source/English_Bay_Launch) – operates water taxis from Granville Island

## References

1. Parton, Nicole. "Battle of the ferries is a False Creek epic", *[Vancouver Sun](/source/Vancouver_Sun)*, May 12, 1988, Page B-3.

1. ["Granville Island Works Canada | Arts Culture and Local Business in Vancouver BC — the People"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110314094113/http://www.granvilleislandworks.com/profiles/29). Archived from [the original](http://www.granvilleislandworks.com/profiles/29) on 2011-03-14. Retrieved 2010-05-31.

1. ["Aquabus Ferries in Vancouver, British Columbia"](http://govancouver.about.com/od/gettingaroundvancouve1/a/Aquabus.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20100419181916/http://govancouver.about.com/od/gettingaroundvancouve1/a/Aquabus.htm) 2010-04-19 at the Wayback Machine, *[About.com](/source/About.com)*, Accessed September 14, 2009.

1. Vancouver Courier, Vol. 74 No. 48. December 1st, 1982 Page 1, 7

1. Daniels, Alan. "Bus for bikes barges into False Creek ferry fleet", *[Vancouver Sun](/source/Vancouver_Sun)*, July 26, 1995, Page D-1.

1. ["RAINBOW HUNTER (THE) (O.N. 193303)"](http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/4/vrqs-srib/d.aspx?vesselid=5630&lang=e), *[Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada) registration*, Accessed September 30, 2009.

1. ["CYQUABUS II (O.N. 825486)"](http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/4/vrqs-srib/d.aspx?vesselid=57937&lang=e), *[Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada) registration*, Accessed September 30, 2009.

1. ["CYQUABUS III (O.N. 828831)"](http://wwwapps.tc.gc.ca/saf-sec-sur/4/vrqs-srib/d.aspx?vesselid=61298&lang=e), *[Transport Canada](/source/Transport_Canada) registration*, Accessed September 30, 2009.

1. ["Two Vancouver companies team up to play the ‘green’ game"](http://www.boardoftrade.com/vbot_sb_archive.asp?pageID=179&IssueID=161&ArticleID=2966&year=2008&sbPage=AD), *[Vancouver Board of Trade](/source/Vancouver_Board_of_Trade)*, May 2008.

1. ["Ferry Yachts"](http://www.benford.us/pdf/FerryYachts.pdf). *www.benford.us*

## External links

- [Official website](https://theaquabus.com/)

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Aquabus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquabus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aquabus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.