Blustery conditions around Vancouver Island are leading to widespread BC Ferries cancellations on Thursday, including several major routes.
BC Ferries says sailings on the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay, Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay, and Tsawwassen–Duke Point routes have been cancelled due to unsafe marine conditions.
Additional cancellations were reported earlier in the day on several Sunshine Coast and Gulf Island routes, though some services have since resumed.
Tsawwassen – Swartz Bay
A total of eight sailings have been cancelled on the Tsawwassen–Swartz Bay route and more could face cancellation:
- 11 a.m. from Tsawwassen
- 11 a.m. from Swartz Bay
- 12 p.m. from Tsawwassen
- 12 p.m. from Swartz Bay
- 1 p.m. from Tsawwassen
- 1 p.m. from Swartz Bay
- 2 p.m. from Tsawwassen
- 2 p.m. from Swartz Bay
BC Ferries says customers booked on cancelled sailings will be contacted by customer service to reschedule or receive a refund.
Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay
As of this publication, four sailings have been cancelled between Horseshoe Bay and Departure Bay:
- 10:55 a.m. from Departure Bay
- 11:05 a.m. from Horseshoe Bay
- 1:20 p.m. from Departure Bay
- 1:25 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay
BC Ferries says other sailings on this route are expected to proceed, starting with the 4 p.m. departures from both terminals, weather permitting.
“We know you have important places to be,” the ferry operator said in a notice. “We are currently monitoring the weather conditions with the goal of getting you underway as soon as it’s safe to do so.”
Duke Point – Tsawwassen
Two sailings have been cancelled between Duke Point and Tsawwassen, including the following sailings:
- 10:15 a.m. from Duke Point
- 12:45 p.m. from Tsawwassen
Other sailings on the route are currently expected to operate as scheduled.
Earlier this morngin, Environment Canada issued wind warnings for most waters surrounding Vancouver Island.
Gale warnings are in effect for the Strait of Georgia north and south of Nanaimo, Haro Strait, and the west coast of Vancouver Island south, with winds forecast between 30 and 40 knots.
The east and west entrances of the Juan de Fuca Strait are expected to see winds of 20 to 30 knots, while the central strait is forecast to see lighter winds.
On land, Greater Victoria remains under a wind warning with gusts expected to reach up to 90 km/h by early evening. The Southern Gulf Islands are under a special weather statement for winds gusting up to 80 km/h.
BC Ferries warns that additional cancellations are possible if conditions worsen and encourages travellers to check sailing status before heading to terminals.
