The Queen of Nanaimo was removed from service on July 28 due to a mechanical problem. Credit: B.C. Ferries.
The Queen of Nanaimo was taken out of service Friday due to a mechanical problem and a replacement vessel was brought in for the sailing route.
According to B.C. Ferries, the Queen of Nanaimo was removed from the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands due to a mechanical problem on the starboard controllable pitch propeller. Starting at 2:35 p.m., the Bowen Queen will service all Queen of Nanaimo scheduled sailings to the end of July 31.
The Salish Eagle will continue to provide service to the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route as well.
The Bowen Queen has less vehicle capacity than the Queen of Nanaimo and does not have an elevator. B.C. Ferries said if the Bowen Queen reaches capacity or customers need an elevator, then can go from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay to get to the Southern Gulf Islands.
“We apologize to our customers for this inconvenience caused by the Queen of Nanaimo’s malfunction and we are working as quickly as possible to complete the repairs,” said Mark Collins, B.C. Ferries’ President and CEO.
“We have the Bowen Queen going into service on this route and we are making every effort to keep all sailings as scheduled.”
The 53-year-old Queen of Nanaimo is due to be retired at the end of the summer
Alexa Huffman
