Miles of uninhabited coastline are punctuated only by two white crosses that mark the spot the Queen of the North struck an island off the coast of B.C. almost two years ago.
The ferry now rests 1,400 feet below the surface, seemingly unaffected by the controversy that continues to swirl in the wake of her loss.
British Columbians -- including the families of the two people who perished when the ship sank beneath the waves -- are hoping for answers in a report released by a federal agency, the Transportation Safety Board.
That report, expected Wednesday, may put some of the questions to rest about how one night on March 22, 2006, the Queen of the North could have slammed into Gil Island and sank.
By morning, all that was left above the water was a large oil slick and scattered debris.
"Oh, it's in my mind, when I see oil slicks on the water, I think of the Queen of the North," said George Knox, a passenger on the vessel last week.
The crew says it's been a tough time since the sinking, with low morale. They have to deal with the public spotlight, and even occasional taunting and snide remarks from passengers.
It was a situation made worse when B.C. Ferries pointed the finger of blame at the bridge crew and human error.
And as the night-time journey ends, the misty morning light can't warm the vastness and isolation along the ferry's lonely route.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart
