The ongoing staffing issues with BC Ferries have cancelled Saturday sailings between Mill Bay and Brentwood Bay due to crew availability on the MV Klitsa.
BC Ferries issued the service notice Friday afternoon, however, many commuters are arriving at the terminal unaware of the cancellations.
In the announcement, the company said a specific number of crew members are needed aboard the vessel to ensure passenger safety and comply with Transport Canada regulations.
“The decision to cancel a sailing in these circumstances is made when we have exhausted all options to find replacement crew,” read the notice. “That said, if circumstances change and replacement crew become available, we will notify customers immediately.”
It’s not the only sailing being affected by the staffing issue, crew shortages were also behind the ferry corporation’s decision to replace the Skeena Queen with a water taxi for evening sailings between Swartz Bay and Salt Spring Island this weekend.
On Friday, BC Ferries fired CEO Mark Collins “effective immediately” and has named Jill Sharland as an interim CEO while the company searches for a replacement.
The announcement, made by the recently appointed BC Ferry Service Board chair Joy MacPhail, comes amid ongoing cancellations and delays in ferry system.
Collins contract termination will entitle him to severance package, that amount has not yet been finalized.
As of this publication, no announcement has been made regarding Sunday sailings for the Mill Bay/Brentwood Bay route.
