A BC Ferries vessel that experienced a mechanical issue last week remains out of service for repairs until further notice, according to the ferry company.
BC Ferries said it expects a very busy Thanksgiving long weekend, particularly on the Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Victoria (Swartz Bay) route, without the Spirit of Vancouver Island.
The company said it will provide four-ship service on that route over the weekend, but capacity will be reduced as a smaller Coastal Class vessel (310 vehicles and 1604 passengers and crew) subs in for the larger Spirit Class vessel (358 vehicles and 2100 passengers and crew).
Customers without bookings on this route should prepare for sailing waits, BC Ferries said in a media release.
It suggested customers can travel between Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island on alternate routes, including:
West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) – Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
Vancouver (Tsawwassen) – Nanaimo (Duke Point)
Historically, the most popular travel times are Thursday and Friday afternoon and Saturday morning for traffic moving from Vancouver (Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay) to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast. The most popular travel day of the long weekend will be Thanksgiving Monday, with traffic sailing from the Nanaimo (Departure Bay), Victoria (Swartz Bay) and the Sunshine Coast (Langdale), according to the release.
