Ferry Sailings Resume

Wind warnings, holiday traffic spell space crunch

photo credit: BC Ferries

BC Ferry service has resumed on all routes between Vancouver Island and the Mainland after a day of cancellations due to strong winds.

Four sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay in Nanaimo were cancelled beginning with the scheduled 11:05 a.m. sailing yesterday, with service not resuming until 8:30 p.m. Environment Canada reported southeasterly winds clocking in at 70 kilometres per hour, with gusts to 90 kilometres per hour throughout the afternoon.

Sailings were also cancelled on the Tsawwassen routes to both Duke Point and Swartz Bay from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., leaving travellers to scramble to find alternatives. Last evening, BC Ferries announced that since vehicle deck space on the Tsawwassen/ Duke Point route had reached capacity, foot passenger service would be the only option available for travellers.

Due to upgrades at the Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal, reservations are required to travel with a vehicle to Departure Bay. Between the high winds and holiday traffic, reservations are sold out for all sailings to Nanaimo today, with the exception of the 10:40 p.m. ferry.

The latest updates can be found at BCFerries.com.

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