Multiple BC Ferries sailings, the majority of them linked to Salt Spring Island, have been cancelled and water taxis have been hired due to ongoing staffing issues.
BC Ferries says it has cancelled the 8 p.m. sailing departing from Swartz Bay and the 10 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen due to a lack of crew availability on the Coastal Celebration.
The company has also cancelled the 5:45 p.m. sailing departing Tsawwassen to Long Harbour, the 7:30 p.m. sailing departing Long Harbour to Sturdies Bay and the 8:25 p.m. sailing departing Sturdies Bay to Tsawwassen due to a lack of crew availability on the Salish Heron.
“Our Customer Service Centre will contact customers with bookings on these cancelled sailings to let them know their booking must be cancelled. In the case of a cancellation, we will refund fees and/or fares,” BC Ferries said in a statement on its website.
BC Ferries has also chartered a water taxi to provide service on some Salt Spring Island routes where they had originally cancelled sailings due to staff issues.
According to a series of service updates on their website, BC Ferries says they have charted a 45-person water taxi to operate the Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour route on Sunday. The company had originally announced that they would be cancelling all scheduled sailings between 1:50 p.m. and 9 p.m. on the Swartz Bay-Fulford Harbour route.
Lastly, sailings between Crofton and Vesuvius Bay from 7:55 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. will be operated using a 10-person water taxi because of crewing shortages on the Quinsam, according to BC Ferries. The 10 p.m. sailing from Crofton is slated to operate using the Quinsam.
“We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of these cancellations,” BC Ferries said in a statement on its website.
BC Ferries says people should visit their website or follow them on Twitter @BCFerries or call them at 1-888-223-3779 for the most up-to-date sailing and departure information.
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