Mechanical issue on B.C. Ferries vessel leads to sailing cancellations

A mechanical issue with a B.C Ferries vessel that cancelled six sailings Thursday, and multiple sailings on Wednesday, has now been resolved, according to the operator.

Those without reservations asked to travel as foot passengers on long weekend

Michelle Gomez · CBC News · Posted: Nov 11, 2022 3:01 AM EST | Last Updated: November 11, 2022

A large ferry is seen on the sea, framed by mountains and hills. — B.C. Ferries cancelled a number of sailings of the Queen of Surrey on Nov. 9 and 10 due to mechanical issues. (B.C. Ferries)

A mechanical issue with a B.C Ferries vessel that cancelled six sailings Thursday, and multiple sailings on Wednesday, has now been resolved, according to the operator.

The Queen of Surrey, the boat that sails between Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast, had an issue with the main engine that caused the ship to not sail on Wednesday and Thursday.

To cover this route, B.C. Ferries used one of two vessels that sail between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay in Nanaimo — resulting in a modified schedule just before the long weekend.

According to a tweet on Friday morning, however, the issue had been resolved, and sailings are proceeding as normal.

<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ServiceNotice?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ServiceNotice</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/HorseshoeBay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#HorseshoeBay</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Langdale?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Langdale</a> The mechanical problem with the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/QueenofSurrey?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#QueenofSurrey</a> main engine has successfully been resolved and service will resume with the 6:20 am sailing from Langdale (Sunshine Coast) to Horseshoe Bay (Vancouver). ^vr
—@BCFerries

Numerous customers were impacted by the mechanical issues on Wednesday and Thursday. B.C. Ferries spokesperson Astrid Chang said those who had reservations on cancelled sailings may be able to travel during a different sailing, or they may have to cancel their booking. She said they are reaching out to those impacted.

B.C. Ferries is asking passengers without reservations to consider leaving their car behind and travelling as a foot passenger if possible, or taking the alternate route between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in Nanaimo.

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Chang said B.C. Ferries has added an extra 30 sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay in Victoria over the long weekend in anticipation of increased travel.

Veterans and active military personnel can travel on B.C. Ferries for free on Friday upon presenting a Canadian military service ID, or travelling in uniform. The complimentary fares do not apply to travel on the Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii and Central Coast Connector routes.