BC Ferries says it is ‘on track’ to bring back the Coastal Celebration Friday

A day after a major website mishap inaccurately told BC Ferries customers there was a nine-sailing wait on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route, B.C.'s transportation minister says a similar situation won't happen again. Kier Junos reports.

By James Paracy

Posted July 26, 2023 5:08 pm.

Last Updated July 26, 2023 11:26 pm.

BC Ferries sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay may be a step closer to returning to normal Friday, with the corporation saying the Coastal Celebration is on track to return to service Friday — if it completes successful sea trials.

#ServiceNotice #Tsawwassen #SwartzBay
Pending the successful completion of sea trials, the #CoastalCelebration is on track to be in service Friday, July 28.

Full notice here: https://t.co/yxD8xaL5FJ ^be

— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) July 26, 2023

A mechanical issue on the Coastal Celebration resulted in it being pulled from service for repairs on July 19. This came after multiple sailings were cancelled in recent weeks because of the same issue.

The vessel’s disruption in service has seen eight daily sailings missing between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, putting pressure on other BC Ferries sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland.

Signs at BC Ferries show multiple sailing waits to Victoria after a vessel was taken out of service due to an ongoing mechanical issue

Signs at the BC Ferries terminal in Tsawwassen show multiple sailing waits to Victoria on July 20, 2023, a day after the Coastal Celebration vessel was taken out of service due to an ongoing mechanical issue. (Ryan Lidemark, CityNews Image)

BC Ferries says the Coastal Celebration’s daily sailings account for an average of 310 vehicles and just over 1,600 passengers and crew members — meaning approximately 2,400 vehicles were looking for an alternate route while the boat sat on a dry dock for repairs.

As the corporation explains, repairs are being made on an “ineffective blade seal.”

“The shipyard, supported by marine engineers from both BC Ferries and the propulsion supplier, will work through the night to accomplish the work,” reads a release from the ferry service.

“The vessel is expected to be re-floated tomorrow night with sea trials conducted en route to Swartz Bay.”

BC Ferries says people with reservations on the Coastal Celebration for Friday are “advised to arrive as planned.” However, the corporation says food services could be limited on its first day back out on the water.

During the time that the Coastal Celebration has been out of service, BC Ferries’ website has been plagued with issues surrounding its reservations and Current Conditions section — which is meant to project how much space is available for travellers on each sailing.

The corporation’s website incorrectly displayed information Tuesday that there was, at one point, a nine-sailing wait on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route.

Listen live for the CityNews Ferry Report every :09 past the hour between 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays. You can also follow us on Twitter and subscribe to breaking news alerts for the latest.

Submit a Correction

Accessibility Feedback