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BC Ferries cancels Queen of Cowichan sailings due to engine issue
BC Ferries said repairs are underway and affected customers will be rebooked or refunded after the Queen of Cowichan’s turbocharger problem forced multiple cancellations.
On Tuesday, BC Ferries cancelled multiple sailings between Nanaimo's Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver due to a mechanical failure aboard the Queen of Cowichan.
The service disruptions stem from a 'mechanical difficulty with the main engine turbocharger on the Queen of Cowichan,' forcing engineering teams to investigate necessary repairs before the vessel can return to service.
Frustrated passengers at Departure Bay prompted Nanaimo RCMP intervention on Monday after travellers blocked traffic upon learning the 4 p.m. sailing was cancelled, forcing officers to intervene.
BC Ferries is notifying affected customers about rebooking options or refunds, while recommending travellers consider the alternate Tsawwassen to Duke Point route to manage disruptions.
Gibsons Mayor Silas White noted the incident reveals the fragility of relying on 45- and 50-year-old vessels, emphasizing that reliable ferry infrastructure is essential to support the coastal economy.