Ferry service between Nanaimo’s Duke Point terminal and Tsawwassen resumes May 1.
Duke Point was knocked out of commission Dec. 20 when the Coastal Inspiration crashed while docking, damaging the ferry’s bow doors and the terminal’s lower vehicle ramp.
Repair costs to the terminal were more than $2 million, as well as $380,000 to the ship.
A B.C. Ferries internal investigation concluded the crash was caused by an electrical component failing in the propulsion control system, which controls the pitch of the vessel.
Investigators made several recommendations for the future including: increasing the distance of pre-arrival checks so crew members have more time to react during emergencies; and creating an alarm that would draw the crew’s attention to an issue.
B.C. Ferries operated the mid-Island service to Tsawwassen out of the Departure Bay terminal following the crash, and Deborah Marshall, B.C. Ferries spokeswoman, said the transition was a smooth one.
“Once we got past the Christmas holidays it went quite well,” she said. “January, February and March are a quiet period for us. Had this happened in July or August, it would have been much different situation.”
For sailing schedules, please go to www.bcferries.com.
