Coastal Renaissance ferry will not be in service for the holidays: BC Ferries
Posted November 29, 2023 3:33 pm.
Last Updated December 8, 2023 12:30 pm.
BC Ferries says the Coastal Renaissance, which is currently under repair, has faced a new problem and won’t be in service in time for the holiday season.
BC Ferries Executive Director Deborah Marshall tells CityNews the vessel was going through final inspections by technicians to be ready by mid-December when a short-circuit issue in the engine was found.
Technicians are still trying to figure out what’s going on, but in the meantime, she says BC Ferries is bringing back the Coastal Celebration to help with demand over the holiday period.
Marshall says BC Ferries expects around 1 million people to use its services to travel over the holidays. She suggests travellers make reservations now, especially if they have a specific sailing in mind.
Despite the number of people expected to travel, Marshall says BC Ferries is confident it will be able to meet demand.
“We know that people want to visit their family and friends and often the trip on a B.C. ferry is the means to get them there and we will be ready to serve the thousands and thousands of customers that present themselves over the holidays.”
Although there is no timeline yet for when the Coastal Renaissance will be back in service, Marshall explains the Coastal Celebration can carry all the passengers BC Ferries is expecting.
“The important thing is we will be at full schedule for the holiday season,” Marshall said.
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