A late night BC Ferry sailing from Nanaimo to Tsawwassen turned into a seven hour ordeal for some ferry customers last night as strong winds stopped the ferry from docking.
The delays started right away as The Queen of New Westminster didn’t leave until 11:45 p.m. – an hour after it was originally supposed to leave Nanaimo.
It was supposed to be a two hour crossing and the ferry was due to dock at 1:45 a.m.
However, it turned into a seven hour ordeal for the 21 passengers on board as the ferry couldn’t dock in Tsawwassen. The strong winds that hit the region made conditions too difficult for the ferry to dock safely. The captain did attempt to dock multiple times but it was too windy.
The boat finally docked just before 7 a.m. Thursday.
“Our crew kept them well informed,” said Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries. “They offered coffee, tea, food and what-not.”
It appears the passengers did get fed by the crew around 5 a.m.
A few concerned parents, who had adult children on board the vessel, waited out the night in the parking lot and said they could see the ferry attempt to dock.
One of the parents told Global News the wind was so strong it was blowing water across the parking lot.
All passenger on board were given a voucher to ensure their next ferry ride is free.