B.C. Ferries will cancel two sailings on its busiest route Saturday and four other sailings between Swartz Bay and the Southern Gulf Islands due to crew shortages.
The 8 a.m. sailing of Coastal Celebration departing Swartz Bay and the 10 a.m. departing Tsawwassen are cancelled.
The cancellations on the South Gulf Islands route include:
• 5:50 a.m. sailing of the Salish Raven, departing Swartz Bay
• 7:10 a.m. sailing departing Sturdies Bay
• 7:45 a.m. departing Village Bay
• 8:30 a.m. sailing departing Otter Bay
Southern Gulf Islands service will resume as scheduled with the 9:35 a.m. sailing departing Swartz Bay.
“The Salish Heron will operate on a revised schedule to supplement service on this route should these sailings be cancelled. The schedule will be posted as soon as it becomes available.”
Revised schedule for Saturday, March 25:
|
Departure |
Arrival |
|
5:40 a.m. - Swartz Bay (Victoria) |
6:20 a.m. - Otter Bay (Pender Island) |
|
6:30 a.m. - Otter Bay (Pender Island) |
6:55 a.m. - Village Bay (Mayne Island) |
|
7:05 a.m. - Village Bay (Mayne Island) |
7:30 a.m. - Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island) |
|
7:40 a.m. - Sturdies Bay (Galiano Island) |
8:50 a.m. - Swartz Bay (Victoria) |
|
9:10 a.m. - Swartz Bay (Victoria) |
10:20 a.m. - Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island) |
|
10:30 a.m. - Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island) |
11:05 a.m. - Village Bay (Mayne Island) |
|
11:15 a.m. – Village Bay (Mayne Island) |
11:40 a.m. – Otter Bay (Pender Island) |
|
11:50 a.m. – Otter Bay (Pender Island) |
12:30 p.m. – Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island) |
|
12:40 p.m. – Lyall Harbour (Saturna Island) |
1:50 p.m. – Swartz Bay (Victoria) |
The cancellation statements noted B.C. Ferries requires a specific number of crew members on board each vessel to ensure the safety of passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations.
“The decision to cancel a sailing in these circumstances is made when we have exhausted all options to find replacement crew,” it said.
For the most up-to-date sailing and departure information, follow @BCFerries on Twitter or visit its webpage at www.bcferries.com.
