BC Ferries Cancellations Disrupt Easter Travel

VICTORIA, British Columbia – British Columbia's ferry operator faced widespread disruptions over the Easter long weekend as mechanical failures in multiple vessels combined with strong winds to cancel or delay sailings on key routes connecting Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island and the Sunshine Coast.

BC Ferries reported issues with at least three vessels, including the Queen of Surrey, which returned to service Sunday after a refit but was sidelined again just 40 minutes later due to a mechanical problem with its steering panel. The breakdown led to the cancellation of at least six sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale through early afternoon, affecting hundreds of passengers during one of the busiest travel periods of the year. A replacement vessel was diverted to handle remaining trips that day, though it required canceling one return trip to Vancouver Island and two sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Duke Point on Monday.

The Spirit of Vancouver Island, operating the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route, had resumed service Saturday following a generator failure the previous week but faced precautionary operating limits due to lingering concerns. Officials issued notices...