More BC Ferries sailings cancelled as Coastal Celebration docked for repairs

BC Ferries says the broken-down Coastal Celebration will be taken out of service until oil leak-related repairs are completed.

This announcement comes shortly after an ongoing mechanical issue with the vessel forced BC Ferries to once again cancel a number of sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay on Wednesday.

The corporation says all of the Coastal Celebration’s sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen have been scrapped starting Wednesday afternoon, with disruptions continuing until at least July 24 or “until repairs can be completed.”

This means there will also be eight fewer sailings on the route starting Thursday.

BC Ferries says a suspected oil leak was reported by the crew earlier in the week, and explains it is unsure whether or not the issue stems from recent annual repairs, but says “a strong possibility exists.”

In regard to travellers with reservations booked on now-cancelled sailings, BC Ferries says it will “be able to accommodate all the Coastal Celebration bookings” with alternate sailings throughout the days of July 19 to July 26 — noting approximately 7200 travellers will be affected by the service disruption.

“Customers will be notified of the change to their booking and be given the option to contact us and move or cancel the modified booking at no charge,” the service said in an email to CityNews.

Moving forward with fewer sailings available, it recommends travelers “consider travelling as a foot passenger as standby vehicle spaces will be reduced.”

Related articles: 

• BC Ferries vessel pulled from Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay route due to mechanical issues

• Multiple BC Ferries sailings between Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay fully booked

• ‘Unacceptable’: B.C. transportation minister speaks out about BC Ferries’ long-weekend challenges

Two sailings were cancelled on Tuesday due to the ongoing mechanical problem with this particular vessel. BC Ferries said in an update later that day that Transport Canada had cleared the Coastal Celebration to continue its operations for the remainder of the day.

The issues plaguing the Coastal Celebration also caused it to miss two sailings Monday.

At the time, BC Ferries said oil was detected “coming from the propellor hub of the Coastal Celebration,” prompting the cancellation of the 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. sailings Monday.

Meanwhile, the propulsion issue was also the reason behind the vessel being offline ahead of the Canada Day long weekend.

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