More than two-dozen passengers were stranded after a new cable ferry linking Vancouver Island with a northern Gulf Island broke down mid-route.
The Baynes Sound Connector, which started shuttling passengers between Buckley Bay and Denman Island in January, was carrying 25 people when it stalled Friday morning, BC Ferries says.
BC Ferries told CTV News a hydraulic hose let go on board the connector, leaving the ship stranded mid-strait.
The ferry was towed to Buckley Bay by 1:30 p.m. after a terminal rescue boat was called in.
It was repaired and back in service as of 2:40 p.m.
A water taxi acted as a shuttle for people on that route.
Due to nautical rules all vessel traffic in the area was shut down for a few hours.
One man who said he was onboard told CTV News smoke could be seen emerging from a lower part of the vessel.
“Smoke was coming from down below and hydraulic oil was shooting out of a valve,” said Brent Tickell.
“I AM on this ferry right now,” Laura Thomson wrote on a Denman Island Facebook group. “They leaked hydraulic fluid (?) Smoke. Alarm. And we are dead on the water.”
Another woman who posted to the Facebook group said her son was on board.
“I’m furious. They are bringing a rescue boat. Heads up to parents with kids on the other side in case it’s not fixed today!” another wrote.
It's unclear when the ferry will be back in service.
