Tuesday saw several cancelled sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen due to the generator issue with the Spirit of Vancouver Island.
After Tuesday saw several cancelled sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen due to a mechanical issue with the Spirit of Vancouver Island, B.C. Ferries has issued a revised schedule for the route for the next week.
The revised schedule, in effect until April 8, is available at bcferries.com as a service notice under current conditions.
B.C. Ferries said the delayed return of another vessel after a refit also led to sailing cancellations between Duke Point and Tsawwassen on Wednesday and Thursday.
Cancelled Wednesday are the 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. from Duke Point and the 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. from Tsawwassen, while Thursday cancellations include the 9 a.m. from Duke Point and the 11:30 a.m. from Tsawwassen.
On Tuesday, passengers on a B.C. Ferries sailing from Tsawwassen to Vancouver Island had to unload from the Spirit of Vancouver Island after a problem with the ship’s generator.
Multiple sailings on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route — one of its busiest — were cancelled for the day due to the breakdown, starting with the 9 a.m. sailing.
The operator said crews identified the problem after the vessel was already loaded, and its inability to sail forced the unloading, with videos on social media showing vehicles having to reverse in the process of getting off the ferry.
B.C. Ferries confirmed the ship was out of service last week due to a problem with the same generator, and the ferry was just put back into service after repairs were completed on Saturday.
Supplemental sailings were added between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, and B.C. Ferries said it was assessing the extent of the mechanical issue.
“Our focus is on keeping people moving and minimizing disruption, especially as we head into a busy Easter long weekend,” said spokeswoman Ritinder Matthew.
Customers affected by cancellations were being contacted directly with rebooking options or refunds, Matthew said.
The Spirit of Vancouver Island was built in 1994 and has a capacity of 358 vehicles as well as 2,100 people. The vessel was converted to use liquefied natural gas in 2018.
Matthew said the disruption highlights the need for an additional relief vessel in B.C. Ferries’ fleet, after the company requested last year to build five new vessels.
The independent British Columbia Ferries Commissioner announced in March 2025 that spending was only approved for four of the vessels, with the first expected to enter service in 2029.
“Decisions on fleet expansion aren’t within our control, but we’ll continue to advocate for it,” Matthew said. “Without that extra vessel, there’s limited ability to absorb disruptions like this.”
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 31, 2026.
source: Times Colonist
