The CEO of B.C. Ferries stood by the company’s decisions at a press briefing on Thursday following the recent announcement of multiple cancellations for sailings during the Easter long weekend. Nicolas Jimenez acknowledged the frustrations expressed by customers, recognizing the challenges faced in providing expected service levels, especially during a busy travel period like Easter.
B.C. Ferries disclosed that two vessels are currently unavailable for service. The Spirit of Vancouver Island is sidelined due to a generator problem, while the Queen of Surrey is undergoing additional mechanical work following its annual refit, causing a delay in returning to service.
As a result, numerous sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland have been affected by cancellations or schedule changes over the upcoming four-day weekend. Jimenez explained that the issues stem from a mix of factors including aging vessels, unexpected breakdowns, a tight refit schedule, and a fleet size shortage.
Despite these challenges, Jimenez emphasized the company’s ongoing investments in fleet maintenance and upgrades, highlighting the rarity of such disruptions. He mentioned that although the vessels typically operate with over 99% reliability, the current situation does not reflect that statistic.
Engineering teams are working tirelessly to determine if the Spirit of Vancouver Island can be reinstated in time for weekend sailings, with an update expected on Friday morning. Customers are advised to plan ahead due to the revised schedules and cancellations on various routes, including between Victoria and Vancouver, and Vancouver and Nanaimo.
Additional sailings have been arranged for the weekend, and affected customers with reservations have been notified. Jimenez cautioned about potential long waits for standby traffic and advised travelers to consider alternative transportation methods or adjust their travel plans to manage the anticipated congestion during the holiday weekend.