Multiple sailing waits continue as BC Ferries vessels fill up for long weekend
If you were looking to catch a BC Ferries sailing from Vancouver Island to the mainland on Friday, and you didn’t make a reservation, there’s a good chance you were sitting in a multiple sailing wait.
"No we did not (make a reservation) and that was our mistake," said one traveller who was heading to Nelson, B.C. for a family reunion from the Swartz Bay ferry terminal.
She waited two hours just to make it into the terminal.
"Because of all the reservations that were made, we were in the line and it just didn’t move," said the woman.
For those who could make a reservation, like Kylie Sergerie, they were the lucky ones.
"I just happened to be scrolling through, it said reserved, reserved and there was one open spot and it was for 1 o’clock for today," said Sergerie. "I managed to book that about an hour ago."
"The reservable space on the peak sailing times has been fully subscribed already and, as I say, there’s lots of stand-by traffic already at the terminals," said Deborah Marshall, executive director of public affairs at BC Ferries, early Friday afternoon.
"Customers might want to consider travelling as a foot passenger and have somebody pick you up on the other side," she said.
On the mainland, conditions were worse. All sailings from Tsawwassen and Horseshoe Bay to Vancouver Island are fully booked for Friday and Saturday.
The road leading into the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal is shown: July 30, 2021 (CTV News)
The road leading into the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal is shown: July 30, 2021 (CTV News)
"We’re definitely seeing pent up demand," said Marshall. "I think a lot of people are wanting to have a 'staycation' and then of course with the wildfires in the Interior, I think some people probably changed their plans and decided to come to Vancouver Island instead."
The road leading into the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal on Friday resembled a parking lot. Cars were overflowing outside the terminal at Tsawwassen as well.
On Friday, Fraser Health took advantage of all those people with nowhere to go.
"We are having one of the pop-up vax clinics at our Tsawwassen terminal today," said Marshall.
Fraser Health’s Mobile Vax Bus is shown parked at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal: July 30, 2021 (CTV News)
Fraser Health’s Mobile Vax Bus is shown parked at the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal: July 30, 2021 (CTV News)
Back here on the island, Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo was busy as well.
"Ferry traffic, it’s a little much," said one man heading to the mainland.
"We might be here as late as 5 o’clock to get on," he said early Friday afternoon.
BC Ferries is warning riders that Monday is expected to be extremely busy with all those mainlanders returning home. Reservations for a return trip to the mainland on Monday are already booked, but there are some reservations still available for Tuesday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.