BC Ferries resumes sailings after storm-related delays
Posted October 24, 2021 12:59 pm.
Last Updated October 25, 2021 6:42 pm.
BC Ferries resumed sailings on the major routes Monday evening, after lengthy storm-related delays. However, reservations and space remain scarce.
Sailings on its Tsawwassen to Duke Point, Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay, and Comox to Powell River routes were called off, and didn’t resume until 7 p.m.
#BCFHeadsUp
Check what sailings are cancelled and what routes have resumed service this evening: https://t.co/5hIaeCWfUG #BCStorm ^km pic.twitter.com/b1KQdin7O0— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) October 26, 2021
Most morning sailings had already been cancelled due to the major storm, but disruptions continued as the day unfolded.
#BCStorm
Sailings across multiple routes have been cancelled due to strong winds. Impacted customers will be advised of cancellations & reservations will be fully refunded.#TravelAdvisory
https://t.co/mjnoHEA19Y #CurrentConditions
https://t.co/J2qOITubcZ(1/3) pic.twitter.com/dBt8PFt4U3
— BC Ferries | Reconnecting BC (@BCFerries) October 25, 2021
The forecast called for western sections of Metro Vancouver to experience the strongest winds Monday, with gusts potentially exceeding 80km/h before easing in the evening.
“Into the afternoon, we still could see gusts out over the water and along the coast in that 80-90km/h range — that’s right on the coast,” said Meteorologist Michael Kuss Monday.
Water’s looking pretty choppy and I’m finding it hard to hold my phone steady as I film this.
Also difficult to breathe with wind whipping through my hair. #BCStorm @CityNewsVAN @BCFerries pic.twitter.com/2LRxQrk6wc— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) October 25, 2021
“Now, a good chunk of Metro Vancouver and out in the Fraser Valley we’re talking about winds just generally 30 to 50km/h, sustained gusts pushing 70, possibly 80km/h in some of those exposed areas closer to the water. So that’s certainly strong enough to bring some (tree) limbs down, knock out some power, and we’re already seeing that this morning,” Kuss explained at around 5:30 a.m.
“But we’re not even at the peak as far as the wind gusts are concerned. This powerful, low-pressure system, this bomb of an event, it’s still quite powerful as it tracks across through the day today. It will weaken, so winds taper off late in the day and into tomorrow.”
Read More: ‘Bomb cyclone’ hits B.C.’s south coast, BC Hydro dealing with outages
“We’re certainly keeping an eye on the weather for some of our other routes, and if we do have to cancel some sailings because of the weather situation, we’ll keep our customers up to date via our service notices and our travel advisories,” BC Ferries spokesperson Astrid Chang said Sunday.
Heavy rain coming down now as my producer @realslobo just texted me to “Come on back!”#Tsawwassen #BCStorm@CityNewsVAN pic.twitter.com/jqNf1E9X7T
— Marcella Bernardo (@MBernardoNews) October 25, 2021
A full list of service notices and cancellations can be found at the BC Ferries website.
Listen live for weather updates every 10 minutes after traffic on the ones. You can follow Meteorologist Michael Kuss and Weather Specialist Michelle Yi on Twitter, and sign up for breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
