BC Ferries has halted service between Nanaimo Horseshoe Bay and Langdale terminals after a vessel hit the dock at the latter port.
At around 8:10 a.m. on Tuesday morning, the Queen of Surrey vessel made contact with the berthing structure at Langdale, and is out of commission for the rest of the day.
“The vessel is currently resting on the edge of a fender panel on the pontoon. A tug is currently en route and should arrive before 12:00 noon to assist,” reads an update from BC Ferries.
Just to the nose of the ship. pic.twitter.com/9sZXXxGUdT
— Ernie Jenkins (@RealErnieJenkin) March 26, 2019
A free water taxi service for foot passengers has been set up for stranded passengers on both sides of the Strait.
It will be operating on a space availability basis between the government dock at Horseshoe Bay and Gibsons Landing and from the government dock at Horseshoe Bay and Hopkins Landing.
— Kurt Penner (@KurtPenner) March 26, 2019
Passengers with vehicles are encouraged to via Earls Cove and Saltery Bay, Powell River and Comox, and Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay or Duke Point and Tsawwassen.
In the evening, service between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale will be provided by the Queen of Cowichan vessel with limited vehicle capacity as follows:
- 5:30 pm and 7:50 pm exit Horseshoe Bay
- 6:40 pm and 8:55 pm exit Langdale
The crown corporation’s website also crashed briefly earlier today due to increased traffic.
— andy (@xj6response) March 26, 2019
— Eliza G. (@ElizaG_) March 26, 2019
@chrisgailus The @BCFerries #QueenOfSurrey Just missed the birth completely and slammed into the dock ! @GlobalBCMorning #Gibsons pic.twitter.com/XY3mVqVBcQ
— James Baker (@JamesIanBaker) March 26, 2019