Local Victoria band Three Sailing Wait has caught the attention of the city this week as they released their second EP, MARSEC Level 2, because of a new song they premiered at the show called “Cease and Desist.”
The song was inspired by a cease-and-desist order they received in late May from BC Ferries, who found out the band had been using a logo that paid homage to the company’s official logo—perhaps a bit too much.
BC Ferries said that while they respect local artists and their creativity, they could not knowingly allow Three Sailing Wait to use their fonts and wave imagery in stickers or merchandise.
“Trademark law requires us to act when something could cause confusion,” said Shiryn Sayani, Senior Communications Advisor for BC Ferries.
“If we don’t, we risk losing the ability to protect our brand against more serious or misleading uses in the future.”
She added that the company has had people asking if the band was sponsored by or connected to BC Ferries.
“When fonts and logos appear side by side, it’s easy for people to assume there’s a link — and that’s exactly the type of confusion the law is designed to prevent.”
Though firm in their stance on the logo, Sayani did mention that BC Ferries likes the accuracy of the band’s name, saying it’s “pretty accurate if you don’t have a reservation” with the volume of travellers the company deals with daily.
Three Sailing Wait is a four-piece band comprised of Cam and Andrew on bass, rhythm and vocals; Geordie on lead guitar and Graham on drums.
They have been jamming together since late 2022, and got their start playing at the Victoria Curling Club on Quadra Street for bonspiels.
“We started playing under the name Three Sailing Wait, cause you know, ragging on the ferries and waiting for the ferries is kind of a way of life for everyone in Victoria,” Cam told Victoria Buzz.
Following the media attention the matter of their name, logo and the subsequent cease-and-desist order have gotten, Cam says that the band is just hopeful that more people hear about them and listen to their music.
“We really just look forward to sharing our music with people. We had so much fun creating it, and we hope it brings people some joy and some fun,” Cam explained.
He added that following their performance of “Cease and Desist,” and all the attention they have received from it, they will certainly be recording it for their next release.
“It’s a song about power dynamics and throwing your weight around when you’re the big fish on the Salish Sea,” said Cam.
“We just had a lot of fun with it, I think people liked it and it is just kind of an interesting story—just funny how an organization is kind of stuck having to defend their copyright, and we’re just some guys playing music.”
BC Ferries say the letter they sent was respectful and straightforward.
“It simply advised the band of our rights and asked them to stop using the waves and fonts,” said Sayani.
“Protecting our trademark is standard practice for any well-known brand.”
Since receiving and complying with the cease-and-desist order, Three Sailing Wait has a new logo featuring a nondescript vessel that the band hopes doesn’t confuse anyone.
Three Sailing Wait just released MARSEC Level 2 this past Saturday at a show alongside fellow local bands Conjure Hand and OddSum.
Preview the EP below:
