The Aquabus

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 division False Creek Ferries.[1] It has since grown along with the population surrounding False Creek. Four Benford designed ferries were in operation by 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 the City of 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 the summer of 2008 one of the Benford ferries was converted to a fully electric propulsion system, and has been used as a test platform for Aquabus' exploration of alternative energy.[9] In the spring of 2010 Aquabus acquired two new bicycle ferries, "Cyquabus IV" and "Cyquabus V" and sold the heritage vessel the "Rainbow Hunter".

The Aquabus Ferry Company fleet is currently 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, British Columbia.[5] "Cyquabus I" was decommissioned in the Fall of 2010 following 15 years of service on False Creek as Aquabus' first bicycle ferry.

The Aquabus
Hornby Street West End False Creek Granville Island False Creek David Lam Park False Creek Stamp's Landing Spyglass Place Olympic Village False Creek Yaletown Plaza of Nations False Creek Science World

The Aquabus Ferry Company makes scheduled stops at the following locations:

• Hornby Street's south foot
• Granville Island next to the Arts Club Theatre
• David Lam Park at Homer Street
• Stamp's Landing by Monk McQueen's restaurant
• Spyglass Place: Near the Olympic Village beneath the Cambie Street Bridge on the south shore
• Yaletown at the foot of Davie Street
• Plaza of Nations
• Science World, across from the SkyTrain Main Street – Science World Station

• False Creek Ferries - operates passenger ferries from Granville Island
• English Bay Launch - operates water taxis from Granville Island

• The Aquabus