Stz’uminus First Nation artist John Marston’s wrap design for the hull of the new BC Ferries Salish Eagle was unveiled in Richmond on Friday morning.
The artwork is a depiction of a red eagles and represents the strength and respect the bird carries in First Nations culture.
“I think all First Nations identify with the eagle and the strength that it carries,” said Marston who was on hand for the unveiling and spoke to the Chronicle on Thursday.
“It’s a highly respected spiritual animal in our culture. It symbolizes a connection to our natural world.”
BC Ferries commissioned Marston for the work but he was given the artistic freedom to create the design.
“It’s really exciting and will be incredible to see up close,” he said. “I did the design work just under a year ago and to see it from going from paper to digital to the next I see it it’s going to be 400 feet - I’m excited.”
The ferry will begin carrying passengers near the end of June on the Tsawwassen-Southern Gulf Islands route.
It recently completed a 10,400 nautical mile journey from Gdansk, Poland and arrived in Canada last month.
The vessel features two car decks and has a service speed of 15.5 knots, powered by three dual-fuel Wartsila 8L20DF engines. Each engine weighs about 11.1 tonnes, according to specs on the Wartsila website.