On March 1, the Bowen Queen takes over on the Gabriola route while a new sewage and waste water disposal system is installed aboard MV Quinsam.

By July 1, 2012 all vessels will be required to comply with the Canada Shipping Act sewage regulations meaning that, wherever possible, vessels must pump out sewage and waste water to an on-shore facility. The work to adapt the system aboard Quinsam is expected to take about four weeks to complete.