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

A mechanical issue with a B.C Ferriesvessel 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 oftwo vessels that sail between Horseshoe Bayand 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 areproceeding as normal.

Numerous customers were impacted by the mechanical issues on Wednesday and Thursday. B.C. Ferries spokesperson Astrid Chang saidthose 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 thealternate route between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in Nanaimo.

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 personnelcan travel on B.C. Ferriesfor free on Friday upon presenting a Canadian military service ID, or travelling in uniform.The complimentary fares do not apply to travel onthe Inside Passage, Haida Gwaii and Central Coast Connector routes.