For years, residents living close to BC Ferry docks have complained about noise traffic congestion. But now some homeowners in Nanaimo are claiming the ferries are responsible for causing damage to their homes.
Bob Wienkenkamp says the cracks on either side of his large bay window are caused by excessive vibration, something he says started the day the Coastal Renaissance arrived. It's one of the biggest vessels in the BC Ferries fleet.
"Things are rattling and shaking and it's a very uncomfortable feeling,'' he said
Even more worrying, he says, is the potential impact on the value of his property.
"Our neighbours have had a window pane shatter and it looks now like their foundation is starting to crack,'' Wienkenkamp says. "And I know it's a new crack because he had painted it and now you're clearly seeing a crack."
The complaints have been formally made to the BC Ferries Corp.
"We are calling in a structural engineer to substantiate these allegations or claims,'' said BC Ferry Services spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.
"Nothing has been substantiated at this point, but we do want to bring in an expert and we will continue to work with the residents,'' she said.
In an effort to reduce noise and vibration, ferry operators now use the prop less forcefully when leaving and docking.
But Wiekenkamp, a retired engineer himself, fears those efforts will not be enough.
"I'm more interested in the long term solution,'' he said. "We really don't want to be pushed out of here because we can't stand it.''
With a report by CTV British Columbia's Sarah Galashan
