A mechanical issue on one of BC Ferries’ major vessels created long sailing waits Friday morning.
The Queen of Oak Bay was pulled from service on the Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay route due to a problem with its backup power supply. It was returned to service around 10:30 a.m., however, delays had already set in.
The ferry service said its previously cancelled 11:25 a.m. and 1:40 p.m. sailings are reinstated and will sail as planned. However, for those without a reservation, the next available sailing is well into the evening.
“If you have a booking on one of these sailings, you will hear from our Customer Service Centre who will let you know if we can fit you on an alternate sailing later today, or if your booking must be cancelled. In the case of a cancellation, we will refund your fees and/or fares. If your booking was previously cancelled and you have decided to alter your travel plans, please contact our Customer Service Centre at 1-888-BC FERRY (223-3779) for assistance,” BC Ferries said online.
“We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of these cancellations.”
Speaking to CityNews at the Horseshoe Bay terminal early Friday morning, one woman said she had been waiting in the lineup since 1 a.m.
“Things happen, but then they decided to turn everyone around and make them do the full loop and make them come through again,” she explained.
“So, everyone that had a reservation for … the first sailing left, and those reservations were not honoured for the next ferry sailing.”
Another would-be ferry-goer took to the forum website Reddit, sharing that they were told by the ferry service that they could stay at Horseshoe Bay and “risk” getting on a later sailing, or turn around and head to another ferry terminal.
“I was there this morning for the 6:30. We had a reservation. They said the reservation was cancelled and didn’t help get us into any future sailing. We could stay and risk it and maybe get on another sailing in 9 hours,” Reddit user supersuperduper shared.
“We were there 40 min early. … They told us to drive to Tsawwassen. We talked to other groups here (with reservations) who were also told their reservation was no good and their only chance was to drive to Tsawwassen,” the user added.
source & photo: CityNews
