Omineca Princess along with its dry dock was towed to the Francois Lake south terminal over the weekend of June 7.

WaterBridge Equipment, the operator of the MV Francois Forester, has been entrusted with the task of managing the dismantling process, the provincial Ministry of Transportation had said last month.

The disposal process will take place this month itself and is expected to span up to four weeks. 

Preparatory work onboard the vessel and dry dock was successfully concluded by spring 2024, paving the way for their final journey to the south terminal. The ministry has assured that the site at the south terminal is fully equipped and primed to accommodate the disposal operation.

A consortium of companies, including KBL Environmental/Secure Energy Services Inc. and Heavy Lift Solutions Ltd., will be spearheading the dismantling services. Environmental considerations are also paramount in this process, with DWB Consulting Services Ltd. and Noot鈥檚enay Consulting LP stepping in to oversee related environmental services.

Materials extracted during the dismantling process will be meticulously handled, ensuring their transportation to appropriate recycling facilities, the ministry said. 

Initially launched in 1976, the Omineca Princess has remained docked at the north terminal of the lake following its final voyage in 2004. Operating as a 34-car, 200 passenger ferry, it completed 22 round trips per day until its replacement by the 52-car MV Francois Forester in the same year.

The transition was facilitated by the British Columbia Transportation Financing Authority in 2004, ensuring the continuity of free ferry services by substituting the Omineca Princess with the Francois Forester.

Exploring options beyond its maritime service, the Cheslatta Carrier Nation considered repurposing the Omineca Princess's wheelhouse into a museum. However, due to prohibitive costs,the band revised its plans, with select components earmarked for archival display on the Southside, preserving its legacy in a different form.