BC Ferries sees massive waits after cancellations

BC Ferries says the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route is completely sold out for the remainder of Thursday after one of its vessels was taken out of service.

Multiple-sailing waits are being reported between Vancouver Island and the mainland after the corporation announced Wednesday the Coastal Celebration was going to be out of commission due to an ongoing mechanical issue.

Related articles: 

• More BC Ferries sailings cancelled as Coastal Celebration docked for repairs

• BC Ferries vessel pulled from Tsawwassen, Swartz Bay route due to mechanical issues

• ‘Unacceptable’: B.C. transportation minister speaks out about BC Ferries’ long-weekend challenges

Some people reported waiting at the Tsawwassen and Victoria-area terminals for hours, while BC Ferries ticketed for sailings later and later in the day.

The Coastal Celebration serviced the route between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay. However, its cancellations are also having an effect on other routes as people look to take different sailings to get around the problem.

#BCFHeadsUp #Tsawwassen – #SwartzBay reserved traffic moving normally. Now ticketing standby traffic for the 1:00 am sailing – 84% vehicle deck space available.

Keep up to date here: https://t.co/xqYNEtinMy ^ed

— BC Ferries (@BCFerries) July 20, 2023

On Wednesday, BC Ferries said it was taking the Coastal Celebration out of service until an ongoing propulsion issue could be fixed. The repeated oil leaks have forced a number of cancellations in recent weeks, including before the Canada Day long weekend.

BC Ferries says all of the Coastal Celebration’s sailings between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen have been scrapped until repairs on the vessel are completed. The corporation previously said dry dock space was secured for July 24, with the Coastal Celebration “anticipated” to be back in service later in the week.

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Editor’s note: This article has been updated to show BC Ferries previously said dry dock space was secured for July 24, and the vessel was “anticipated” to be back in service later in the week.