Due to mechanical issues with the Coastal Renaissance, BC Ferries has had to cancel a number of sialings between the Mainland and Vancouver Island for Sept. and Oct. (File photo)

By Jordan Davidson

change of schedule

Nanaimo route impacted by ferry engine trouble leading to 60 fall cancellations

Sep 6, 2023 | 5:26 AM

NANAIMO — Mechanical issues has BC Ferries adjusting its early fall schedule, leading to a reduced service offering on a pair of routes.

In a Thursday, Aug. 31 news release BC Ferries stated its vessel Coastal Renaissance has to undergo extensive repairs due to a failure of the number two drive motor, causing cancellations starting on Sunday, Sept. 10 until Oct. 9.

BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said this means the Queen of Alberni will be moved to replace the downed ferry for the Tsawwassen to Duke Point route, which will affect sailings to and from Nanaimo.

“There is a knock-on effect to the Horseshoe Bay/Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay/Langdale routes. Basically, Sept. 9 to Oct. 9, we are having to cancel about 60 extra sailings between those two routes because the Queen of Alberni is sailing on the Duke Point run.”

The Coastal Renaissance has been out of service since mid-August due to these mechanical difficulties.

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The Queen of Alberni was originally planned to be relocated to the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes for fall service, but will now replace the Coastal Renaissance.

Marshall said while repairs are starting on the Coastal Renaissance this week, they don’t expect it to be back in service until after Thanksgiving.

“We do expect to lift a rotor out this week, and then we do expect to have an inspection and diagnosis by the 15 of Sept. So we will have more information to share with our customers late next week.”

Below is a list of all the currently cancelled sailings between Nanaimo’s Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay in Vancouver.

Multiple sailings departing from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay and Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay are cancelled in Sept. and Oct. due to mechanical issues on another ferry. (BC Ferries)

At least one sailing per day on the Horseshoe Bay and Langdale (Sunshine Coast) is also cancelled starting Sept. 10 until Oct. 9, mostly in the late afternoon and evening.

Marshall went on to say despite those mechanical issues which caused some sailing cancellations between Duke Point (Nanaimo) and Tsawwassen (Vancouver) over the Labour Day weekend, the rest of the weekend went smoothly.

“We did move a lot of traffic, and had many extra sailings, so now that we’ve wrapped up the summer season we’re switching over the fall schedule.”

For full details on BC Ferries schedule, you can click here to go to their website or follow them on Twitter @BCFerries.

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jordan@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow