Two sailings — the 4 p.m. leaving Swartz Bay and 6 p.m. leaving Tsawwassen — have been cancelled due to a crewing issue, according to BC Ferries.
In a cancellation notice issued at 3:23 p.m., BC Ferries says it was unsuccessful in securing the necessary crew to operate the sailings on the Coastal Celebration.
These are the only sailings anticipated to be affected, according to the company.
Customer service representatives will reach out to customers with bookings on the cancelled sailings to let them know if there is space on another sailing or if their booking must be cancelled. The terminal will try to accommodate customers who had already checked in on the next sailing.
“We require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations,” BC Ferries said in a note on its website.
“The decision to cancel a sailing in these circumstances is made when we have exhausted all options to find replacement crew. That said, if circumstances change and replacement crew become available, we will notify customers immediately.”
These cancellations comes as the company is in the midst of hiring fairs in an effort to hire 500 people.
READ MORE: BC Ferries hiring 500 people amid ongoing crew shortages
“Every position is integral to providing customers with an exceptional experience and ensuring ships sail,” said Marshall in an emailed statement on March 15.
-With files from CHEK’s Ethan Morneau
CHEK News
