It was a last minute thing. My favourite brother announced that they were taking the MV FRANCES BARKLEY on the trip to Bamfield. Would you like to join us? Why not?
So it was a very early Saturday morning drive to Port Alberni to board the coastal freighter, The FRANCES BARKLEY. It was a beautiful fall day as the ship slipped out of Alberni ready for the all day trip.
The ship is old. Built in Norway in 1958. She is 118 feet long, powered by an eight cylinder Bergen diesel that produces 400 horsepower at 450 rpm and a cruising speed of 9.9 knots. There are two decks with indoor and outdoor seating on the upper and seating and a cafe on the lower. They serve breakfast and lunch on board. They have beer and wine too. Both kinds of wine; red and white served from a box. But cold. One could describe the interior of the ship as early school Bus. Rustic but quite comfortable. One can go up to the bridge and chat to the Captain who is full of great information about the ship and the area.
The ship makes the trip to Bamfield three times a week to deliver freight and passengers. On this day she made three stops on the way. At Kildonan, a beautiful inlet, she unloaded propane & groceries onto a float. Then a septic tank & new propane stove on another. Later she dropped off a guy who was the caretaker at a church camp. Watching the ship manoeuvre into tight spots to unload cargo was real west coast stuff. The scenery along the way is simply Spectacular! We even saw Humpback Whales.
We arrived at Bamfield just after noon and disembarked. Fortunately, Sheila’s son, a former Coast Guard member had arranged for us to have a tour of the Bamfield Base. Really an interesting tour including boarding the Cape McKay, the resident Coast Guard Rescue Vessel.
Then a visit to Bamfield Mercantile, the only store in town, a stroll down the boardwalk and a hot dog before reboarding the FRANCES BARKLEY. The trip back to Port Alberni was delightful. Warm, sunny and smooth.
It was a 9 hour round trip. Well worth the price. We would recommend this day trip to everyone wanting a west coast experience. For more information go to
Just saying…
MURPH..Just Saying. 
Good on ya Murph! Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a nice day trip. Mat consider it for ourselves.
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Hello Terry,
We have heard about this boat trip but never taken it!
It sounds like a wonderful experience! Clearly you had some good contacts!
Thanks for sharing!
Josee’s visit to Victoria was short and very sweet……she stayed at the Magnolia Hotel and split her time between work and pleasure. She came to the house Wednesday evening for a barbeque…thankfully Norm was feeling well enough to enjoy her visit. On Thursday Josee and I went to the HAVN Spa in the Inner Harbour…it was 3 hours of precious mother- daughter time…followed by dinner at Ferris oyster Bar & Grill. On Friday she joined Joanne and I for lunch at 10 Acres Kitchen and then Friday evening she met her friend Jacquie. Saturday morning Josee and I had a pedicure and then met Norm at Frankie’s Diner for brunch. She got on the 2pm Harbour Airplane for Vancouver….and departed for TO on Tuesday morning. It was a very wonderful visit.
I will s end you some photos soon!
Big hug, Carol
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