Coastal Renaissance return to service delayed again, BC Ferries says
BC Ferries expects to serve more than 900,000 passengers during the upcoming holiday season, and says it will be able to do so without one of its largest vessels, which remains out of service for repairs.
Work on the Coastal Renaissance "will take longer than originally anticipated," the provincial ferry operator said in a statement Wednesday.
Deborah Marshall, the Crown corporation's executive director of public affairs, told CTV News via email that the company doesn't currently have a "return to service" date for the ship, which has been out of commission since one of its drive motors failed in mid-August.
BC Ferries initially estimated that the Coastal Renaissance would be out of service into October, but it has turned out to be unavailable for even longer.
"While the vessel was expected to return to service in December, there was an issue identified during the final testing that requires further investigation," the company said in its statement.
"The company anticipates being able to provide a media briefing on its broader retrofit plans early in the new year."
Marshall stressed that while the vessel will not be ready for the increase in ferry traffic that typically starts in mid-December, the loss of the Coastal Renaissance won't affect the holiday season.
According to the company's statement, the Coastal Celebration – which was, itself, taken out of service unexpectedly for repairs over the summer – will sail in its sister vessel's place on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route.
"Any customer affected by the minor schedule adjustments will be notified," the statement reads.
BC Ferries says it will have "four major vessels" operating on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route in December, with a carrying capacity of 55,000 passengers and 10,500 vehicles per day on the busiest days.
Asked at the legislature Wednesday whether the public should have confidence in the ferry system given the extended period the Coastal Renaissance has been out of service and the difficult summer BC Ferries experienced, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming answered affirmatively.
"They should be (confident) because the company has seen some improvement, having had difficulties over the early long weekends in the summer," he said. "They performed much better over B.C. Day weekend and Labour Day weekend."
Fleming said BC Ferries has had "a very successful year with hiring and retention," noting that the company has hired 1,200 employees in 2023 so far.
"BC Ferries is aware and taking some major steps and using the $500 million, quite frankly, that our government gave to stabilize rates and allow them to engage in additional training and recruitment and retention activities to put the company on a better footing, and that's what you're seeing happen," he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6956926.1720544990!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
The remnants of hurricane Beryl are heading to Canada. Here's where it's expected to land
A since-downgraded hurricane that claimed several lives and left a wake of destruction in its path is forecast to strike parts of Canada this week as a tropical storm.
Argentina shows its class in 2-0 win over gutsy Canada in Copa America semifinal
Goals by Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez lifted top-ranked Argentina past Canada as the star-studded South American side showed its pedigree in a 2-0 win in the Copa America semifinal on Tuesday.
Five hospitalizations in Ontario linked to plant-based refrigerated beverages recall
Ontario is confirming nine cases of listeriosis that are believed to be linked to a recall for Silk® and Great Value brand plant-based refrigerated beverages.
'Her whole future ahead of her': Sask. photographer captures Manitoba graduate posing on iceberg
Some say a photograph is simply a memory frozen in time – and a high school graduation photo taken in Churchill, Man. takes that adage to a completely new level.
'Hilarious and fun': Ottawa man surprised with 40th birthday party inside Value Village
As much as Tyler Garvey loves hunting for a vintage bargain, he never expected to celebrate his 40th birthday inside a Value Village location.
The body of an American climber buried by an avalanche 22 years ago in Peru has been found
Twenty two years ago, an avalanche buried American climber Bill Stampfl as he made his way up one of the highest peaks in the Andes mountains.
Russia orders the arrest of Alexei Navalny's widow, who lives abroad
A court in Russia ordered the arrest of the widow of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny during a hearing Tuesday that was conducted in absentia as part of a sweeping Kremlin crackdown on the opposition.
Ukraine will stop Putin, Biden tells NATO in forceful speech
Joe Biden forcefully defended the foreign policy achievements of his presidency as he welcomed NATO member states to a Washington summit on Tuesday that is being closely watched by allies at home and abroad for proof the embattled U.S. president can still lead.
Gypsy Rose Blanchard is pregnant
Gypsy Rose Blanchard, who served eight and a half years for helping to kill her abusive mother, announced Tuesday that she is set to become a mother herself.