Queen of New Westminster ferry back on B.C. waters after repairs
Posted March 14, 2025 4:36 pm.
One of BC Ferries’ key vessels is back in the water just in time for spring break.
The Queen of New Westminster set sail at noon Friday for the first time since September.
The vessel was pulled due to mechanical issues after one of its propellers was sheared off, leading to the cancellation of all the ship’s sailings for the rest of the month.
“A preliminary visual inspection seems to indicate the fracture of the propeller shaft could be related to structural fatigue,” BC Ferries said at the time.
BC Ferries spokesperson Sonia Lowe says it’s a relief after 200 days out of service.
“Obviously, their demand is high. Lots of families traveling, so having this extra capacity makes a huge difference,” Lowe told 1130 NewsRadio.
Lowe says the repairs to the 60-year-old vessel cost the company $5.5 million.
“And this was on top of scheduled refit costs, and so it resulted in an estimated about $8.5 million in lost revenue while the vessel was out of service,” she added.
The Queen of New Westminster will mostly cover the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route until repairs on the Queen of Oak Bay are finished.
Lowe says long weekends remain busy for the ferry service, and travellers should book in advance as much as possible.
—With files from Emma Crawford
