B.C. Ferries has cancelled about half of Tuesday’s sailings between Nanaimo’s Departure Bay and Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay, citing mechanical issues with one of its vessels.
The ferry service said the cancellations began on Monday evening, after the Queen of Cowichan began experiencing issues, and that Wednesday’s sailings are at risk of cancellation too.
Tuesday’s cancellations include the 6:15 a.m., 10:55 a.m., 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. sailings departing from Nanaimo and the 8:35 a.m., 1:25 p.m., 6:20 p.m. and 10:40 p.m. sailings from Vancouver.
B.C. Ferries cited problems with the Queen of Cowichan’s main engine turbocharger, and said its engineering teams are working to determine what repairs are needed and how long they will take.
The cancellations caused tensions to rise at the Departure Bay terminal Monday afternoon, according to Nanaimo RCMP.
The detachment said officers were called to the scene to support B.C. Ferries staff after several passengers became irate over the 4 p.m. sailing being cancelled.
The Queen of Oak Bay will continue to run as usual, servicing the other half of sailings between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay on Tuesday.
B.C. Ferries says alternate service is available between Duke Point and Tsawwassen.
It says limited space will be available on the sailings that do run and is encouraging people to consider travelling as foot passengers or take alternate routes.