
Several sailings on the Denman Island West-Buckley Bay ferry route were cancelled Monday due to a shortage of crew, according to BC Ferries.
The ferry company, in a service notice Monday afternoon, says it was unsuccessful in securing crew on the Baynes Sound Connector.
The following sailings are cancelled:
- 3:40 p.m. departing Denman Island West
- 4:00 p.m. departing Buckley Bay
- 4:40 p.m. departing Denman Island West
- 5:00 p.m. departing Buckley Bay
- 5:40 p.m. departing Denman Island West
- 6:00 p.m. departing Buckley Bay
- 6:40 p.m. departing Denman Island West
- 7:00 p.m. departing Buckley Bay
In an updated notice at 4:04 p.m., BC Ferries says the vessel is expected to resume service with the 8 p.m. departure from Denman Island West.
The vessel will operate in shuttle mode for the remainder of the evening, which means it “departs as soon as it is full, instead of waiting for a scheduled departure,” the company says.
BC Ferries says it requires a specific number of crew members on board to ensure passenger safety and comply with Transport Canada regulations.
“We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience caused by the earlier sailing cancellations,” it added.
Up-to-date sailing information is posted on BC Ferries’ website and X account.
#ServiceNotice The earlier staffing shortage on the #BaynesSoundConnector has been partially resolved. The vessel is expected to resume service with the 8:00 pm ex. #DenmanIslandWest and will operate in shuttle mode for the evening.
More: https://t.co/7ggZibkxKm ^cm
— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) November 21, 2023
You have stranded Hornby residents in town. Running one sailing of the Quinista at 8:40pm would allow us to get home. Please consider the inconvenience of the situation caused by the Baynes Sound Connector having no crew for the 5pm and 6pm connection to Hornby.
— Bree (@burkevillemama) November 21, 2023