After a week of cancellations and nearly-cancelled sailings, BC Ferries is pulling the plug on the Coastal Celebration’s sailings until it can be properly assessed.
Every sailing it was supposed to make from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen will be suspended as of 2 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19th.
BC Ferries has secured dry dock space for the Coastal Celebration’s propulsion system maintenance that has been causing it trouble every day this week. Crews will begin work on it on Monday, July 24th.
This will inevitably put hundreds of people at risk of not making their desired ferry sailings.
BC Ferries says they hope the Coastal Celebration will be able to be put back in rotation mid-next week.
Related:
- Four BC Ferries sailings cancelled between Victoria and Vancouver
- More sailings at risk of cancellation between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen
While the Coastal Celebration is out of commission, the Spirit of British Columbia and the Queen of New Westminster will be the only vessels traversing the Strait of Georgia.
The reason for the ship being taken out of rotation has been determined to be a “suspended oil leak” caused by an ineffective blade seal. In order to avoid a large oil leak, BC Ferries says precautions will be taken.
“BC Ferries is not yet able to confirm that this leak is related to the work carried out during the vessel’s recent annual refit, but a strong possibility exists,” said a BC Ferries spokesperson.
Travellers hoping to hop between Victoria and Vancouver over the next week are being asked by BC Ferries to leave their vehicles behind if at all possible, as the queue for vehicles to get on the ferry will take the brunt of the ship shortage.
All reservations for July 19th, will be accommodated or refunded and a spot on the next available sailing will be provided; however, the next available sailing may not be until Thursday, July 20th.
“BC Ferries apologizes for any inconvenience customers may experience as a result of these cancellations,” BC Ferries added.
