Portable toilets have again been installed on to the Queen of Cowichan ferry, serving Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, after elevators on the vessel broke down.
Portable toilets were set up on the main car deck last week and again on Wednesday for passengers unable to climb stairs to the decks where bathrooms are located.
An elevator technician is expected to arrive Thursday, said B.C. Ferries, adding passengers requiring elevators have the option of using the Duke Point to Tsawwassen sailings instead.
Two sailings on that run were cancelled, however, because poor road conditions in the wake of Wednesday’s snowfall led to a shortage of staff.
The 8:15 p.m. departing Tsawwassen and the 10:45 p.m. departing Duke Point were cancelled.
Remaining sailings on the route were expected to run as scheduled. The final sailing from Duke Point on Wednesday night will be at 8:15 p.m. on the Coastal Celebration.
B.C. Ferries said its customer service centre will contact customers with bookings on the cancelled sailings to let them know if space is available on an alternate sailing later in the day, or if their booking must be cancelled. In the case of a cancellation, fees and fares will be refunded, the company said.
B.C. Ferries said it requires a specific number of crew members on the vessel to ensure the safety of passengers 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. That said, if circumstances change and replacement crew become available, we will notify customers immediately.”
