On Monday, several ferry services between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island may be canceled due to expected strong winds affecting the southern coast and areas of the Island.
B.C. Ferries has indicated that two evening crossings from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, scheduled for 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. PT, might be called off because of predicted wind gusts and operational restrictions on one of its vessels, which has recently encountered mechanical problems.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has released a special weather alert forecasting wind gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour starting Monday afternoon and continuing through Tuesday.
This warning follows a weekend marked by significant disruptions across the ferry network.
Numerous routes operated by B.C. Ferries linking the Lower Mainland, the Sunshine Coast, and Vancouver Island faced interruptions as a result of mechanical failures and a shortage of vessels, leading to cancellations, extended waiting times, and alternate service arrangements during the busy Easter weekend.
On the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route, a steering panel malfunction on the Queen of Surrey on Sunday resulted in the cancellation of several sailings during the morning and early afternoon.
This vessel had already faced delays in returning to service after its annual maintenance and had only recently resumed operations when a steering panel issue was discovered, as reported by company spokesperson Ceilidh Marlow.
Marlow mentioned that a substitute vessel began operating the route starting with the 2:25 p.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay, with the regular schedule anticipated to resume afterward.
“We anticipate accommodating all traffic currently at both terminals, but customers should note that no additional standby space will be available on this route for the rest of today,” Marlow stated.
In the interim, the company has announced it will continue to utilize water taxis, including four vessels that can carry 12 passengers each and one larger vessel that can accommodate up to 38 people until full service is restored.
B.C. Ferries is withdrawing two key vessels from service before the Easter long weekend. The Queen of Surrey and Spirit of Vancouver Island are critical for some of the busiest routes connecting Metro Vancouver, Victoria, and Nanaimo, but as Amelia John reports, ongoing maintenance problems are affecting the aging fleet.
Correction: An earlier version of this video erroneously named Eric McNeely as the president of B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union.
Passengers were cautioned to prepare for heavy traffic, with no standby space available for the remainder of the day on that route, and lengthy waits anticipated on other major sailings.
Some travelers have taken to social media to share their experiences of long delays and traffic congestion near the Langdale ferry terminal on the Sunshine Coast.
Posts in local community forums depict vehicles lined up from the terminal and along Marine Drive in Gibsons. Others reported waiting for several hours, with some experiencing waits of up to eight hours as traffic congestion increased throughout the day.
The situation on the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale route is also causing delays on the Tsawwassen to Nanaimo’s Duke Point route. Two afternoon sailings were canceled on Sunday, in addition to four more cancellations on Monday.
B.C. Ferries stated that the vessel typically used on that route, the Queen of Coquitlam, was redirected to cover the Horseshoe Bay-Langdale run.
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Passengers stuck on Texada Island overnight after mechanical issue with B.C. Ferries vessel
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B.C. Ferries CEO says he hears customers’ frustrations over Easter weekend cancellations
These latest challenges come amid ongoing disruptions experienced throughout the extended weekend.
Travelers moving between Texada Island and Powell River were stranded when a B.C. Ferries vessel encountered a propulsion system failure during a sailing on Friday night.
Prior to the long weekend, the company disclosed that two vessels were out of commission, including the Queen of Surrey and the Spirit of Vancouver Island, which was sidelined due to a generator failure before returning to service on Friday afternoon, leading to numerous cancellations affecting the routes between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.
In its announcement, B.C. Ferries emphasized that the recent disruptions highlight the increasing strain on its aging fleet and the rising demand for services.
The organization has been advocating for the addition of another major vessel to enhance reliability, but this request has yet to be approved.
“This is precisely why we sought approval from the B.C. Ferry Commissioner to construct a fifth New Major Vessel, which could alleviate pressure in situations like this,” Marlow added.
A design concept for the new vessels B.C. Ferries plans to construct. (B.C. Ferries)
Last year, the B.C. Ferries Commissioner authorized four out of the five new major vessels requested but declined the fifth, deeming it neither essential nor financially feasible at that time.
The first of the four new ferries is projected to enter service in 2029.