BC Ferries is having problems on its Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route Thursday morning.
The Queen of New Westminster didn’t leave the dock on time for its 6 a.m. sailing due to a mechanical issue with the vessel’s starboard rudder, and it’s having a domino effect.
“We are working to fix this and will keep you informed as more information becomes available. As soon as the problem is resolved, the vessel will resume service,” BC Ferries said on its website.
The route is now seeing multiple sailing waits with the earliest available sailing for those driving at 12 p.m. or later.
Nathan Franklin was on his way to Victoria Thursday, when he was forced to change route and sail to Nanaimo before driving down to the southern Vancouver Island city.
“There’s definitely a ton of people here lined up for Victoria, nearly all the way to the gates,” he told CityNews. “They haven’t announced why [there’s the delay], they just have as on the signs the three sailing delay.”
Franklin believes the delays are due to the mechanical issue.
“People are just waiting around. I don’t know anybody’s mood, but I can’t imagine that they’d be too happy,” he shared.
“I wasn’t too happy to find out that I would have to wait for three sailings to get to Victoria. So, as a result I would suggest to anybody coming here trying to go to Victoria, buy a ticket to maybe a different part of the Island and then just drive from there.”
CityNews has reached out to BC Ferries for more information.
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