Passengers travelling between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands were delayed Thursday due to an oil spill on the car deck, BC Ferries tells CHEK News.
On Thursday, the company made the announcement on Twitter, stating initially at 7:10 p.m. the Salish Raven was holding in dock due to a mechanical issue. Then, an hour later, it announced the remaining sailings for the day were cancelled due to the unspecified issue.
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#ServiceNotice #SwartzBay #OtterBay The #SalishRaven is currently holding in dock at Swartz Bay due to a mechanical issue. The 6:40 pm sailing from Swartz Bay to Otter Bay will be delayed as we investigate the mechanical problem.
More info: https://t.co/vp9Ri5Z8RA ^gk
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) February 9, 2024
#ServiceNoticeDue #SwartzBay Due to a mechanical issue, all sailings for the remainder of the evening on the #SalishRaven have been cancelled between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands for today, Thursday, February 8.
Revised schedule here: https://t.co/3jq90Hngjj ^gk
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) February 9, 2024
A CHEK News viewer emailed stating there was an oil spill on the Salish Raven, which BC Ferries confirmed Friday.
“Protecting the environment that we operate in is of utmost importance to BC Ferries. We did experience an issue with the Salish Raven yesterday where oil leaked onto the car deck,” an email statement from Deborah Marshall, executive director of public affairs for BC Ferries, said.
“It was contained to the car deck and did not leak into the ocean. Regardless, we reported the incident to EMCR, as per our protocols.”
The spill was from ferry equipment on the car deck.
The sailings were cancelled while the spill was cleaned, and the Salish Heron and Salish Eagle were able to accommodate the extra traffic.
The Salish Raven was built in 2017, and has the capacity to transport 138 cars.
READ MORE FROM 2017: BC Ferries’ newest vessel arrives in Victoria
Laura Brougham
