Crew shortage prompts cancellation of all ferry sailings between 2 B.C. islands
All ferry sailings between two of B.C.'s Discovery Islands have been cancelled Saturday because of a lack of crew.
BC Ferries announced the cancellations on the route between Heriot Bay on Quadra Island and Whaletown on Cortes Island in a statement Saturday morning. Initially, the company said six sailings had been cancelled, but by 10 a.m., all 12 of the sailings on the route Saturday were affected.
"We require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations," BC Ferries said in the statement.
"The decision to cancel a sailing in these circumstances is made when we have exhausted all options to find replacement crew."
The route between Quadra and Cortes islands is served by the vessel Tachek, which was built in 1969 and has a capacity of 150 passengers and crew, as well as 26 cars.
It's the only BC Ferries route serving Cortes Island.
"We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of these cancellations," the company said.
BC Ferries has been struggling with staff shortages for months, even as it works to hire more people and welcomes back employees who were placed on leave without pay because of the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandate for transportation workers.
The company said this week that it has hired approximately 850 workers since the start of the year. About 150 people were placed on leave because of the vaccine mandate.
"We are still struggling to find licensed experienced officers," BC Ferries president and CEO Mark Collins said late last month, noting the shortage of experienced mariners is a worldwide issue and has been for years.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
3 Indian nationals accused of murdering Hardeep Singh Nijjar facing court in B.C.
Three Indian nationals accused of murdering Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar are due to face court Tuesday over the killing that triggered a major diplomatic rift with India.
Israeli forces seize Rafah border crossing in Gaza, putting ceasefire talks on knife's edge
Israeli tanks seized control of Gaza's vital Rafah border crossing on Tuesday as Israel brushed off urgent warnings from close allies and moved into the southern city even as cease-fire negotiations with Hamas remained on a knife's edge.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.