Busy Easter long weekend ahead for BC Ferries

Getting a ferry to and from Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast is a challenge on most long weekends but this one could be even more difficult. Ferry reservations are already hard to come by for Easter weekend, and with ongoing crew shortage issues, there are concerns about how even one ferry cancellation will affect many would-be travellers.

While Friday is a statutory holiday for Good Friday, many also have Easter Monday off, which typically leads to busy Thursday and Tuesday sailings.

“Our advice for travellers is: definitely do check before you go. We have had isolated incidents recently where we have had to cancel sailings. If you’re travelling without a reservation and you’re travelling at the peak times, you can expect some sailing delays over the long weekend,” BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said, adding “do come prepared.”

Four sailings were cancelled last weekend and two were scrubbed Monday. Marshall says it’s a definite possibility more will be affected this weekend due to staffing levels and COVID-19.

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“We are seeing illnesses with our staff, we are seeing some staff shortages. We are actively recruiting but we are having some vacancies and on occasion we are having to cancel some sailings,” she said. “Yesterday, for example, we did have to cancel a couple of extra sailings on the Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay run due to crew shortages.”

Marshall says some employees are simply burnt out while others are off sick. While efforts are ongoing to keep boats moving, there is simply not enough crew sometimes to meet the Transport Canada requirements.

BC Ferries has adjusted sailings for months and is apologizing for any inconvenience.

Last month, the province dropped its mask mandate, which was in place on BC Ferries for passengers and crew. Marshall says it is important to respect everyone’s comfort levels and be patient.

“It is a personal opinion. Some people prefer to wear masks and that’s certainly their prerogative. Some people prefer not to wear a mask so as I say it is up to the individual,” she said.

With files from Mike Lloyd