BC Ferries has cancelled more sailings on Thursday due to both mechanical and staffing issues.
Multiple sailings have been cancelled between Tsawwassen and Duke Point due to mechanical issues with the Coastal Renaissance.
It’s the second straight day of issues with the vessel, with four sailings dropped on Wednesday and four sailings dropped on Thursday.
Cancelled sailings for Thursday include 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. departures from Duke Point (Nanaimo) and 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. departures from Tsawwassen (Vancouver).
Due to a failure in a motor in the engine of the vessel, the Coastal Renaissance has been removed from service. Two vessels will continue to provide service on the Tsawwassen and Duke Point route which will be the Coastal Inspiration and the Queen of Alberni.
“This is not a simple fix, in fact, it will take an extended period of time that is likely to be measured in weeks not days,” Nicolas Jimenez said in a press phone call.
“We are less than 12 hours from our analysis, so we don’t know everything yet.”
Jimenez said due to the removal of the vessel, more service changes will be announced in the coming hours and days.
“Our goal is to keep the reservation levels, which are around 85 per cent, where they are. Maintain the very small percentage of availability for other customers because we know they have certain needs that can’t be planned for,” Jimenez said.
“(We will) find people additional opportunities take sailings at other times. We are also exploring the potential to provide sailings early in the morning and late at night.”
The C-class ferries have had problems this summer, with the Coastal Celebration needing repairs in a dry dock in July.
“Our Customer Service Centre will contact customers with bookings on these cancelled sailings to let them know if we have space available to fit them on an alternate sailing later in the day, or if their booking must be cancelled,” BC Ferries staff said in an alert.
“In the case of a cancellation, we will refund fees and/or fares.”
BC Ferries was also unsuccessful in securing a crew for the Queen of Coquitlam, which has led to a 9:30 a.m. departure for Langdale and a 10:40 a.m. departure from Horseshoe Bay being cancelled as well.
Service for that route is expected to resume at 11:45 a.m. for the departure from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay.
“We require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations,” ferry staff said.
“The decision to cancel a sailing in these circumstances is made when we have exhausted all options to find replacement crew. That said, if circumstances change and a replacement crew become available, we will notify customers immediately.”
BC Ferries has also cancelled a number of sailings between Brentwood Bay and Mill Bay due to staffing issues.
The following sailings have been cancelled:
- 1:15 pm departing Brentwood Bay
- 1:50 pm departing Mill Bay
- 2:25 pm departing Brentwood Bay
- 3:00 pm departing Mill Bay
- 3:35 pm departing Brentwood Bay
- 4:10 pm departing Mill Bay
- 4:45 pm departing Brentwood Bay
- 5:20 pm departing Mill Bay
- 5:55 pm departing Brentwood Bay
- 6:30 pm departing Mill Bay
BC Ferries encourages all passengers to stay up to date by visiting its social media pages and website.
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