The Queen of Nanaimo has been pulled from service after a hard landing Friday night, cancelling multiple weekend sailings between the mainland and the Southern Gulf Islands.
BC Ferries says no passengers or staff members were hurt in the crash, which occurred at around 8 p.m. at the Tsawwassen terminal, and no vehicles onboard were damaged.
Crews are working to repair the berthing structure and the ferry itself, which spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said requires a "four or five foot weld."
The cause of the crash has not been determined, but Marshall said it was not a mechanical problem. The same vessel experienced a hard landing at a dock on Mayne Island last August, injuring four passengers.
BC Ferries determined that the 2010 crash occurred after two metal dowels slipped and fell onto the port shaft oil distribution box, making the propeller inoperable.
The company hopes to have the Queen of Nanaimo back in operation on Sunday, and will be issuing a statement on the repair effort Saturday night.
Marshall said Saturday is expected to be the least busy sailing day of the long weekend, but the company does not have a vessel to replace the Queen of Nanaimo.
The following sailings scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled:
- 6:20 a.m. departing from Long Harbour
- 8:40 a.m. departing from Tsawwassen
- 10 a.m. departing from Sturdies Bay
- 10:55 a.m. departing from Village Bay
- 12:35 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
- 4:15 p.m. departing Long Harbour
- 5:15 p.m. departing Village Bay
- 9:30 p.m. departing Tsawwassen
Affected travellers who had booked reservations have been contacted by BC Ferries.
The Bowen Queen vessel is operating as scheduled, with sailings at 1:50 p.m. and 6:20 p.m., though both departures are full.
Marshall said customers have the option of sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, then departing from Swartz Bay to the Southern Gulf Islands.
