A huge anchor that was inadvertently released from the Spirit of British Columbia ferry was pulled back on board late afternoon Friday and the vessel resumed its course to Tsawwassen.
It was expected to arrive at 4:20 p.m.
Because of the incident, both the 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. sailings Friday on that vessel have been cancelled.
When the anchor went overboard mid-afternoon Friday, the ferry was stopped and held its place in the waters near Galiano and Mayne Islands.
There was no danger to the passengers or the vessel, B.C. Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said.
Canadian Press reporter Dirk Meissner was on the 1 p.m. sailing from Swartz Bay and said when the anchor released with its tire-sized chain links, it shook the ship and a cloud of red dust rose above the chain.
He said the vibration of the anchor chain rolling off the ship was so strong that he thought the front windows might break.
Troy Sebastian of Victoria caught the 1 p.m. sailing out of Swartz Bay and was sitting in the cafe about 2 p.m. when he felt a shudder, similar to that when driving from a paved road onto a gravel road.
“It is pretty alarming,” he said before the ferry resumed its path.
Another passenger said that he had seen the anchor fly overboard and that sparks were flying, Sebastian said.
Passengers were ushered away from the front of the ship, he said, and were offered free refreshment.
cjwilson@timescolonist.
