MV Nimpkish
MV Nimpkish is an formerly owned by BC Ferries. Entering service with the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation in 1973, the vessel was transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. Beginning in 2014 the ship did runs on the Discovery Coast Connector service, for which the ship received a negative reception, and was replaced in 2017. The ship was formally sold in 2020
Design and description
The ferry is long with a breadth of, a displacement of and measures and. Nimpkish is a roll-on/roll-off ferry that has capacity for 12 vehicles and 95 passengers. The vessel's engines create and give Nimpkish a maximum speed of. Passenger amenities on-board are sparse, with only a passenger lounge, self-serve food station and a washroom available.Service history
The ship was constructed by Rivtow Industries of Vancouver and entered service with the Ministry of Transportation's Salt Water division in 1973, to serve the inter-island routes. The vessel was transferred to BC Ferries in 1985. Nimpkish is the sister ship of and. The former was retired and the latter is on a bare deck lease at Prince Rupert.Nimpkish operated on the Discovery Coast Connector service after was taken out of service in 2014. Operating between Bella Bella and Bella Coola with stops at Port Hardy, Shearwater, Klemtu, and Ocean Falls, the ship's reception was negative with the experience being described as lacking room aboard the ship and insufficient facilities. Tourists and passengers aboard the ship noted the only redeeming factor had been the scenery and the "amazing hospitality of the crew". It was replaced on the Discovery Coast Connector service by in 2017.
BC Ferries agreed to sell Nimpkish in 2018 to a private buyer, with the sale being completed in September 2020. The vessel was renamed Midcoaster.