BC Ferries’ Coastal Renaissance set to return in spring

A major vessel in BC Ferries’ fleet is set to return next year, with the company confirming that major repairs are on track to have the Coastal Renaissance back in service in early March.

In an announcement Friday, BC Ferries said with the expected return now confirmed, it released its sailing schedules through to June 2024 “with no change to the number of passengers or vehicles it can transport during that time.”

The vessel has seen multiple setbacks after first being pulled from service in the middle of August due to engine problems.

While initially saying it would be “unlikely” the vessel would return for Thanksgiving, at the end of November, BC Ferries confirmed the ship would not be in service for the holiday season.

Last month, Executive Director Deborah Marshall told 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.

She assured would-be holiday-travelling passengers that BC Ferries can carry all the passengers it’s expecting through December.

“The important thing is we will be at full schedule for the holiday season,” Marshall said.

The Coastal Renaissance usually sails between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay and between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay terminals.

Until March, the Coastal Inspiration will assume sailing duties on the Swartz Bay – Tsawwassen route from Jan. 3 until the Renaissance comes back into service.

“BC Ferries is taking a flexible approach to the deployment of its vessels across routes and is pleased to be able to put its passengers first and maintain the same capacity levels that were originally planned,” the service said.