BC Ferries has cancelled a series of sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay on Thursday due to persisting mechanical difficulties.
According to the ferry company, the Spirit of Vancouver Island — which was removed from service on Sept. 29 — is continuing to undergo maintenance.
BC Ferries says that the vessel is experiencing a problem with the starboard gearbox and, as a result, the following sailings will be cancelled on September 30:
8:00 am departing Swartz Bay
10:00 am departing Tsawwassen
12:00 pm departing Swartz Bay
2:00 pm departing Tsawwassen
4:00 pm departing Swartz Bay
6:00 pm departing Tsawwassen
In an effort to compensate for the cancelled sailings, the organization says the below additional sailings have been added.
8:00 am departing Tsawwassen
10:00 am departing Swartz Bay
8:00 pm departing Tsawwassen
10:00 pm departing Swartz Bay
11:00 pm departing Tsawwassen
BC Ferries is advising commercial operators that the additional sailings will be provided by the Queen of New Westminster, which has a height clearance of 13’8” and width of 12’. This adjustment is excluded by the 11:00 p.m. departure from Tsawwassen.
All other sailings will depart as scheduled.
“Customers with bookings on affected sailings will be notified. Every effort will be made to accommodate bookings on the next available sailing. If we are unable to accommodate, bookings will be cancelled and reservation fees refunded. Travel will revert to standby basis,” reads a statement from BC Ferries.
BC Ferries notes that it has also cancelled the following sailings beyond September 30 as a result of the mechanical issues:
12:00 pm departing Tsawwassen
2:00 pm departing Swartz Bay
4:00 pm departing Tsawwassen
6:00 pm departing Swartz Bay
“We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of these cancellations. We are working to resolve the issue on the Spirit of Vancouver Island, and we will keep you informed as soon as more information becomes available,” says BC Ferries.
Any further updates can be found on the organization’s website at bcferries.com
Graham Cox
