BC Ferries will be running a full complement of crew and vessels this weekend, the busiest of the year. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

patience required

‘We’re definitely prepared:’ BC Ferries gearing up for busiest long weekend of the year

Aug 3, 2023 | 5:23 AM

NANAIMO — Over 200,000 vehicles and 580,000 passengers are expected on board BC Ferries vessels this August long weekend.

The B.C. Day break is historically the busiest weekend of the year for the ferry network, stressing what’s been a fragile-at-best system to its limit.

Spokesperson Deborah Marshall said traffic will begin ramping up Thursday, Aug. 3 and continue to Tuesday the following week.

“We’re definitely prepared for the weekend, we’ve got all of our ships in operation. We’re going to have about 1,800 employees working over the weekend and that includes around 100 staff in the customer call centre.”

Every vessel is available to be deployed with three running between Duke Point in Nanaimo and Tsawwassen, two between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo’s Departure Bay.

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Another four will operate between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay while two are devoted between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale.

“We are fully staffed as we sit right now, that is something that we are closely monitoring. It’s certainly no secret we have had some crewing challenges but we have a full slate of employees scheduled to work this long weekend.”

No additional sailings have been added for this weekend, with BC Ferries running on its peak summer sailing schedule.

Marshall said people travelling without a reservation should expect some long waits, while everyone is encouraged to arrive at the terminal early.

She also said area highways will be busier than normal this weekend, so travellers should allow extra time just to arrive for their sailing.

Current conditions and more are updated constantly on the BC Ferries website.

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