The ferry was originally part of the Ministry of Transportation and Highways' (MoT) saltwater ferry fleet until 1985, when the MoT's saltwater ferries—including Quinsam—were transferred to BC Ferries.

[1] Quinsam carries 70 cars and replaced the smaller MV Quinitsa (which carries fifty cars) on the Nanaimo ↔ Gabriola Island route, and then once again on the Vesuvius ↔ Crofton route in 2022.

On each side of the car deck, there are small passenger lounges where there is some seating, as well as washrooms and vending machines.

[1] In 2010, she underwent a $16 million mid-life upgrade where she received new engines and generators, a rebuilt pilothouse and passenger cabin, as well as steel replacement.

[3] Media related to IMO 8111386 at Wikimedia Commons