Barnston Island, named after George Barnston, a clerk with Chief Factor McMillan when he founded Fort Langley in 1827, is a rural farming community with narrow roads and no public parking, public facilities, commerce or washrooms other than the GVRD park at Surrey Bend. If you are just sightseeing, it is best to leave your vehicles in the free lot at Port Kells and walk or ride over.

Please be respectful of the private property on Barnston Island and slow moving farm vehicles.

Service

A free "on demand" ferry service operated by Western Pacific Marine Ltd. on behalf of the Ministry of Transportation. The operation is Transport Canada Marine Safety inspected annually and all crew members are Transport Canada certified.

Route

Across Parsons Channel on the south side of the Fraser River in the Lower Mainland between Barnston Island and Port Kells, in the north east corner of Surrey.

Schedule

Service is interrupted as/when river traffic warrants. The school bus gets boarding priority on school days.

Crossing Time

5 minutes crossing - one way

Capacity

6 passenger car capability

50 passenger capability. When 6 vehicles are aboard, only 28 passengers will be carried

Weight Restrictions

40 tonnes ramp load restrictions. The Captain has the authority to require a weight slip from highway weighing station if he or she feels that GVW might exceed the load restrictions.

Dangerous Goods

Dangerous goods are transported separately. Any vehicle carrying more than 1 5-gallon container of gasoline full or empty or more than 2 bottles of welding gas will be transported separately as dangerous cargo.

Vehicle Restrictions and Cautions

At Barnston Island all vehicles must be able to back on and off the ferry.

Vehicles without valid license plates will not be carried. Any unlicensed vehicles (e.g. dirt bikes and ATV's) must be transported on a licensed trailer or other licensed transport vehicle.

Vehicles which cannot shut down their engines for the crossing will not be carried.

Vehicles which are dripping oil from their engine, transfer cases, axles or transmission will not be carried.

The angle of the ferry ramp with the shore ramp may cause difficulties for low clearance vehicles and/or vehicles with low hanging mufflers. The operator assumes no risk for the same.

Pedestrians and Cyclists

Passengers and Cyclist are directed to wait in the appropriate and signed walk-on pre-boarding areas. Be mindful of the vehicle traffic boarding and unboarding the ferry.

The principle of "first come, first transported" is adhered to. However, the Captain reserves the right to do a passenger and cyclist only crossing if the number of waiting pedestrians warrants such a dedicated crossing.

Children and Safety

Children must be accompanied by parents. Bicycles must be walked on/off the ferry. Roller blades, skate boards and other forms of self propelled devices are not permitted to be used on the ramps to/from the ferry.

Please follow directions of the Captain and Crew at all times while onboard the ferry. Contact Information

General Enquiries - 604-681-5199