Mechanical issue leads to cancellations for 10 more days on BC Ferries route

Cancellations from a mechanical issue that serves BC Ferries routes between Vancouver Island and the Central Coast are cancelled for 10 more days than previously announced.

The company said on Aug. 18 that sailings between Bear Cove (Port Hardy), McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella), Shearwater, Ocean Falls, and Bella Coola would be cancelled up until Aug. 28.

However, on Wednesday, the company announced additional cancellations up until Sept. 7 due to an issue with the stern tube shaft seal on the Northern Sea Wolf.

“Our team has secured the dry dock space required to complete repairs,” the company said in a notice.

“Based on the timing of the vessel’s dry dock availability and the time required to complete the necessary work, additional sailings must be cancelled.”

BC Ferries says the Northern Sea Wolf uses oil-lubricated stern tubes at both ends, and they are seals that prevent oil from leaking externally and sea water leaking internally.

The following sailings are now cancelled, with new cancellations marked with an *:

Aug. 19
    7:30 a.m. – Bear Cove to Bella Coola
Aug. 20
    8:55 a.m. – Bella Coola to Bella Bella
    3:05 p.m. – Bella Bella to Shearwater
    4:10 p.m. – Shearwater to Ocean Falls
Aug. 21
    10:00 a.m. – Ocean Falls to Shearwater
    1:10 p.m. – Shearwater to Bella Bella
    2:30 p.m. – Bella Bella to Bella Coola
Aug. 22
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Bear Cove
Aug. 23
    7:30 a.m. – Bear Cove to Bella Coola
Aug. 24
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Bear Cove
Aug. 25
    7:30 a.m. – Bear Cove to Bella Coola
Aug. 26
    8:55 a.m. – Bella Coola to Bella Bella
    3:05 p.m. – Bella Bella to Shearwater
    4:10 p.m. – Shearwater to Ocean Falls
Aug. 27
    10:00 a.m. – Ocean Falls to Shearwater
    1:10 p.m. – Shearwater to Bella Bella
    2:30 p.m. – Bella Bella to Bella Coola
Aug. 28
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Bear Cove
Aug. 29
    7:30 a.m. – Port Hardy to Bella Coola*
Aug. 30
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Port Hardy*
Aug. 31
    7:30 a.m. – Port Hardy to Bella Coola*
Sept. 1
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Port Hardy*
Sept. 2
    7:30 a.m. – Port Hardy to Bella Coola*
Sept. 3
    8:55 a.m. – Bella Coola to Bella Bella*
    3:05 p.m. – Bella Bella to Shearwater*
    4:10 p.m. – Shearwater to Ocean Falls*
Sept. 4
    10:00 a.m. – Ocean Falls to Shearwater*
    1:10 p.m. – Shearwater to Bella Bella*
    2:30 p.m. – Bella Bella to Bella Coola*
Sept. 5
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Port Hardy*
Sept. 6
    7:30 a.m. – Port Hardy to Bella Coola*
Sept. 7
    7:30 a.m. – Bella Coola to Port Hardy*

BC Ferries says a foot passenger-only water taxi is being sourced for service to the mid-coast ports.

“Updates on that schedule will be shared as further information is available and resources are secured,” the company said in a notice.

“We understand the impact this will have on our customers and the communities we serve and are working to minimize service disruptions. If you are booked to travel on any of these cancelled sailings, we will automatically refund your fees and/or fares.”

source: Global News photo: BC Ferries