It finally arrived.

After being delayed for an entire year, the Northern Sea Wolf was made available for viewing at an open house held on Monday, June 3 at the Bear Cove Terminal in Port Hardy.

Mark Wilson, BC Ferries Vice President, Strategy & Community Engagement, greeted the crowd of roughly 100 people who showed up to the open house, stating, 鈥淥n behalf of BC Ferries I鈥檇 like to welcome you to the open house today for our new vessel鈥� The Northern Sea Wolf will provide a vital link to British Columbia on the central coast of Vancouver Island.鈥�

Wilson then invited Port Hardy Councillor Fred Robertson to come and speak a few words. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a long wait to see the Northern Sea Wolf arrive in town,鈥� Robertson noted, adding everyone has been 鈥渨aiting with baited breath for a very long time鈥� It鈥檚 a great opportunity. I know both the Central Coast and the North Island will benefit from the arrival of the Sea Wolf鈥� and we look forward to a very busy season this year.鈥�

The Northern Sea Wolf鈥檚 artwork was designed by two artists, Nuxalk Nation鈥檚 Danica Naccarella and Kwakiutl Nation鈥檚 Richard Hunt.

The ferry ended up costing $76 million by the time it finally went into the water, instead of the $55.7 million as initially budgeted. It will take over the central coast route from the Nimpkish, a 46-year-old ferry that can hold 12 cars and 95 people. It began its planned seasonal direct route from Port Hardy to Bella Coola on June 3.

The vessel carries up to 35 vehicles and 150 passengers and BC Ferries spent May conducting dock trials in the communities it will serve. The federal government has contributed $15.1 million in funding, leaving the company with a $60.9 million price tag.

- with files from Kat Slepian