A mechanical issue has caused significant delays for multiple sailings on a major BC Ferries route.
According to BC Ferries, the issue was discovered on the Queen of New Westminster vessel, which operates on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route. As a result, several sailings have been delayed or cancelled, causing frustration for passengers.
The first delay occurred on the 7 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, which was delayed by approximately 45 minutes. This was followed by the cancellation of the 9 a.m. sailing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen. The 11 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay was also cancelled, with the next available sailing departing at 1 p.m.
BC Ferries has apologized for the inconvenience and is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. They have also advised passengers to check the BC Ferries website for updates on the affected sailings.
Passengers who were affected by the delays and cancellations have expressed their frustration on social media, with some reporting that they have been waiting for hours to board a ferry.
BC Ferries has not provided an estimated time for when the issue will be resolved, but they have assured passengers that they are doing everything they can to get the affected sailings back on schedule.
In the meantime, passengers are advised to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time if they are using the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route. BC Ferries has also reminded passengers that they can make reservations for their sailings to avoid potential delays.
This is not the first time that mechanical issues have caused delays for BC Ferries. In December 2020, a similar issue occurred on the same route, resulting in multiple cancellations and delays.
BC Ferries has a fleet of 36 vessels that operate on 25 routes throughout coastal British Columbia. The company transports over 22 million passengers and 8 million vehicles annually, making it an essential mode of transportation for many residents and visitors.
As the issue continues to be resolved, BC Ferries has advised passengers to check the website for updates and to contact their customer service team for any further inquiries.
