VANCOUVER

Ferry delayed due to swimming black bear at Departure Bay

The Canadian Press Published Monday, May 20, 2019 11:27AM PDT Last Updated Monday, May 20, 2019 12:06PM PDT

A crew member walks on the vehicle deck of the BC Ferries' vessel Island Sky while travelling on the waters off the Sunshine Coast, from Saltery Bay to Earls Cove, B.C., on Friday, March 17, 2017. (Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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VANCOUER, B.C. - On the balmy Saturday morning at the beginning of the long weekend, little did the passengers of a ferry in B.C. know that they would be delayed by a black bear taking a dip.

The bear went for a leisurely swim just outside of the berth at Departure Bay, delaying the Queen of Oak Bay, which departed from Nanaimo, by about 10 minutes.

BC Ferries spokeswoman Astrid Braunschmidt says while it's not unusual to see wildlife on the shores from time to time, she couldn't recall the last time a black bear was spotted from the ferry.

Braunschmidt says wildlife usually seen include orcas, humpbacks, dolphins and sea lions.

She says while she's not sure where the bear was going she hopes it was just enjoying the beautiful weather.