Mechanical difficulties continue to interrupt ferry service between Salt Spring Island and the Saanich Peninsula and it is not clear yet when service will resume after BC Ferries cancelled additional sailings through the afternoon, with the window for future sailing closing.
BC Ferries has cancelled the 3:50 p.m. sailing from Fulford Harbour to Swartz and the 5 p.m. sailing departing Swartz Bay has crews continue to work on the Skeena Queen after the vessel has been experiencing a problem two of its electrical generators.
Earlier, BC Ferries cancelled sailings leaving Fulford Harbour starting at 6:15, 7:50, 9:50, 11:50 a.m., and 1:50 p.m., as well as sailings leaving Swartz Bay at 7, 9, 11 a.m., 1 p.m.and 3 p.m.
A complimentary water taxi service that can accommodate 15 foot passengers has been operating from the public dock in Fulford Harbour since 6:15 a.m. with the taxi docking at the government dock adjacent to Swartz Bay terminal. The Mayne Queen offered one round trip of supplementary service departing Swartz Bay at 1:30 p.m. and departing Fulford Harbour at 2:30 p.m. with BC Ferries warning that space will be extremely limited.
Astrid Chang, manager of corporate communications and business support, said before the new cancellations that BC Ferries is waiting for an update from maintenance teams when asked about the likelihood of servicee resuming today.
In the meantime, passengers can monitor the BC Ferries website or Twitter account for service updates.
#ServiceNotice #SwartzBay #FulfordHarbour #SkeenaQueen has cancelled sailings due to a mechanical difficulty with the electrical generator. A complimentary water taxi will be available. Full details here: https://t.co/EFJ0fSb3rb ^rj
— BC Ferries | Travel safe. Wear a mask. (@BCFerries) October 21, 2020
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As for commercial traffic, Chang said BC Ferries is directing it toward the Vesuvius-Crofton route, which remains operational.
BC Ferries has apologized for the inconvenience. “We are certainly advising people that there is service between Vesuvius and Crofton today,” she said. “The Bowen Queen is continuing to provide that service as scheduled.”
Of course @BCFerries sailings from #saltspring to #Victoria are cancelled the morning of a two-hour dental appointment I’ve waited three months for. Will you pay my cancellation fees #bcferries? (Also supposed to be first time off-island since giving birth.)
— Emma Yardley (@byemmayardley) October 21, 2020
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