BC Ferries cancels multiple sailings ahead of busy Canada Day weekend
BC Ferries is cancelling several sailings between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland ahead of the Canada Day long weekend.
The ferry service says a problem with the Queen of Alberni's piston assembly has forced the cancellation of the following sailings between Nanaimo, B.C., and West Vancouver on Thursday:
- 7:40 a.m. out of Departure Bay
- 10:00 a.m. out of Horseshoe Bay
- 12:25 p.m. out of Departure Bay
- 2:45 p.m. out of Horseshoe Bay
- 5:00 p.m. out of Departure Bay
- 7:20 p.m. out of Horseshoe Bay
- 9:30 p.m. out of Departure Bay
- 11:40 p.m. out of Horseshoe Bay
Engineers are working diligently to resolve the issue as well as make repairs to the vessel's main engine cylinder head and liner, according to BC Ferries.
"The repairs to the Queen of Alberni are significant, and with a number of tests and trials remaining to ensure it is ready to sail, there is a potential impact to service for Friday, July 1," the ferry service said in a statement.
Travellers are encouraged to make alternative travel plans and book in advance
"Our customer service centre will contact customers with bookings on the cancelled sailings to let them know if we have space available to accommodate them on the next available sailing or if their booking must be cancelled," the ferry operator said.
The cancelled sailings were announced as BC Ferries prepares for one of its busiest travel weekends of the year.
"For the first time in six years, July 1 (Canada Day) and July 4 (Independence Day for our American friends) will bookend the same weekend," the ferry service warned.
"We anticipate high vehicle volumes from Thursday, June 30 through Monday, July 4. As a result, vehicle volumes are expected to be very high throughout the weekend."
Customers are encouraged to carpool or travel as foot passengers if possible. Walk-on passengers are advised to consider taking public transit or get dropped off at the terminal as parking will be limited.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.