"Name the Boats" contest finalists announced

Web users can log into www.torontoport.com to vote for their two favourite names for the new and existing ferries serving Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport

TORONTO , Dec. 4 /CNW/ - The Toronto Port Authority ("TPA") is pleased to announce the finalists for the names of its contest to "Name the Boats" serving Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport ("BBTCA" - formerly Toronto City Centre Airport).

"We received thousands of entries from Torontonians through our online entry forms and at kiosks inside the BBTCA. This contest has really captured the imagination of everyone inspired by the unique location, the history of this airport, and the role it plays as an important service to the community," said BBTCA Director Ken Lundy .

    
    The 10 finalists are:

    -   The Governor Simcoe (Named after John Graves Simcoe, the first
        Lieutenant-Governor of Upper Canada, now Ontario; the founder of
        York, now Toronto)

    -   The Frederick Tilston (Major Frederick Albert Tilston was a WWII
        Victoria Cross Recipient, Essex Scottish Regiment, born in Toronto
        and graduate of De La Salle High School. Died in September, 1992)

    -   Marilyn Bell (Named after the first person to swim across Lake
        Ontario, in 1954)

    -   The Little Norway (Named after the park adjacent to the Bathurst Quay
        ferry terminal)

    -   The Connector

    -   The David Hornell (Flt. Lt. David Ernest Hornell was a WWII Victoria
        Cross Recipient, Royal Canadian Air Force, born on the Toronto
        islands, died in battle June, 1944)

    -   The Lady Simcoe (Named after Elizabeth Simcoe, the wife of Governor
        Simcoe. She was also a diarist and artist whose work reflected the
        life and workings of Upper Canada beginning in 1791)

    -   Island Princess

    -   Margaret R. Dunseith (named after Canada's first female air-traffic
        controller, who used to work at the island airport)

    -   The Maple Queen
    

"All of the finalists reflect the values, history and natural surroundings of the airport and Toronto's waterfront. But we want Torontonians to make the final decision on the names of the ferries," added TPA Acting President and CEO Alan Paul . "So we're putting it to a vote on our website."

Online visitors have from now until January 5, 2010 , to vote for their top two favourite names to christen the BBTCA's new, larger ferry (to be delivered shortly), along with its current ferry, known as TCCA-1. The winning names will be announced January 7, 2010 .

The entrants who submitted the winning names will have a chance through a draw to win prizes including a $500 travel voucher for airfare on Porter Airlines and a Toronto Harbour cruise for themselves and their family and friends from 416-CRUISES.

Log in to www.torontoport.com for contest details, rules and instructions on how to vote.

For further information: contact www.torontoport.com