Long delays on Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen BC Ferries route

If you’re planning on travelling to the mainland from southern Vancouver Island Wednesday, you might want to rethink your route.

Due to a crew shortage, BC Ferries cancelled multiple sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen, with two more at risk.

It comes as the major routes between Vancouver Island and Greater Vancouver see reduced vessels as the ferry service had to put two of its biggest ferries into dry dock for repairs.

The Spirit of Vancouver Island is set to return to the water Thursday, however, the Coastal Renaissance is out for an extended period of time.

Last week, BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall recommended those wishing to travel to Vancouver Island without a reservation to consider going to Nanaimo via Horseshoe Bay or Tsawwassen.

“Currently, because we have two vessels operating between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, instead of the three, we would suggest customers travelling without a reservation might want to consider travelling Tsawwassen to Duke Point, or Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay,” she told CityNews on Oct. 13.

Speaking to CityNews, BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union Provincial President Eric McNealy says the delays are something that British Columbians have become “a little bit too accustomed to,” as the ferry service hasn’t been as reliable as expected.

“Historically, they run about 99.7 per cent on time and schedule. Now, we’ve seen over the last couple of years a reduction in that. And part of the reason for that is a lack of staff and a lack of the backup staff,” he explained.

“And while Ferries has worked pretty hard to recruit and hire, and retain folks who are close to retirement, they’re still pressed with a human resources problem.”

No significant changes at BC Ferries: Union president

While BC Ferries says it has hired 100 new staff members, and new legislation from the province is hoping to bring in further accountability, McNeely said there has yet to be significant change at BC Ferries.

“I think [that is due to] a combination of a few things,” McNeely said. “There’s three major vessels out of service right now for repairs. That reduces the functional liftoff capacity. So, the amount of people that are able to be moved on one ferry, which creates delays and waits, and lack of reservations for the travelling public.”

“A secondary factor that’s in play is a lack of crew. And it’s one thing to be able to carry 2,000 versus 1,000 people. But, when the vessel is not travelling at all, that impacts even more people. It certainly impacts their travel plans.

“But there hasn’t been a real significant change in the staffing level … There may be on our side just a level of fatigue,” McNeely added.

He notes the union has been worried about burn-out and fatigue for “a number of years,” and while BC Ferries has been working to address those concerns, McNeely says he doesn’t believe it’s been done in a way that provides “resiliency” for staff members.

The union understands the frustrations people are feeling, especially those who regularly travel on the ferries and use it as an essential service, but McNeely is reminding folks to be kind to BC Ferries staff.

“Just remember to treat them the way that you want to be treated because they’re there every day trying to make sure that folks are able to get back and forth using the resources they’ve been provided by their employer,” he said.

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