VICTORIA - Three members of the British Columbia Ferry Services board of directors, including the chair, have resigned as new term limits take effect.

Chair Donald Hayes, former B.C. attorney general Geoff Plant and Brian Kenning have all served on the board for more than eight years.

All three resigned because a newly enacted amendment to the Coastal Ferry Act limits board members to terms of no more than eight consecutive years.

Sandra Stoddart-Hansen, chair of the body that appoints directors to the board says a “highly skilled group of dedicated directors with a diverse mix of backgrounds” remains ready to serve.

Incoming board chair John Horning says Hayes, Plant and Kenning provided years of valuable service.

He says their contributions to coastal communities cannot be overstated.