B.C. Ferries cancelled several sailings Tuesday after mechanical problems hit vessels serving Swartz Bay, Tsawwassen and Gabriola Island.
Two Swartz Bay sailings cancelled
Travellers faced delays Tuesday after mechanical problems forced B.C. Ferries to cancel several sailings.
The first disruption involved the Queen of New Westminster. A problem with the ferry’s propulsion system led to two cancelled trips between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen.
The 10 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen was cancelled. So was the noon sailing from Swartz Bay.
As a result, some passengers had to change their travel plans.
B.C. Ferries said its Customer Service Centre was contacting affected passengers. Staff were checking whether travellers could move to another Tuesday sailing.
However, some bookings could not be moved. In those cases, the ferry operator said fares and fees would be refunded.
Gabriola Island service also hit
Meanwhile, another ferry problem caused more trouble for travellers between Nanaimo Harbour and Gabriola Island.
The Island sarelquun had a propulsion-system issue. That led to four cancelled sailings.
From Nanaimo Harbour, the 11:50 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. trips were cancelled.
From Descanso Bay on Gabriola Island, the 1:10 p.m. and 2:20 p.m. trips were also cancelled.
More cancellations were possible
B.C. Ferries warned that further cancellations were possible as crews dealt with the mechanical problems.
Therefore, travellers planning to sail Tuesday were urged to check their sailing status before heading to the terminal.
For passengers already booked on a cancelled trip, B.C. Ferries said customer service staff would provide information about available options.
The disruptions affected two key Vancouver Island routes. However, the operator said passengers whose bookings were cancelled would receive refunds of applicable fares and fees.
