The powerful windstorm that pounded B.C.'s South Coast overnight led to a major ordeal for nearly two dozen passengers on board a ferry.
A total of 21 passengers and the crew of the Queen of New Westminster spent seven hours overnight on the Nanaimo to Tsawwassen sailing because it was too windy to dock.
The winds were gusting so strongly the sailing didn't leave on time – it was supposed to leave Nanaimo at 10:45 p.m. but didn't get going until an hour later.
When the ferry arrived in Tsawwassen it was too windy to dock safely so the passengers spent the night on board. Gusts reached 70 kilometres an hour in the area.
The captain tried to dock but eventually decided to keep his distance from the terminal.
Related: Power knocked out, ferries cancelled as storm hammers region
CTV Morning Live spoke with a woman who waited in the parking lot all night while her daughter and four-week-old grandson were stranded in the ferry.
"I couldn't believe how bouncy it was there," said Donna Verhulst.
"I could see the wind blowing the water across the parking lot, you couldn't even hardly open your door."
BC Ferries was experiencing several delays and cancellations Thursday morning, and the service advised passengers to check current conditions online before heading to catch a ferry.
