Berth work is required at both Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour to prepare for more substantial upgrades in 2025. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

service disruption

Water taxi in place to allow for berth rebuild prep at Gabriola & Nanaimo terminals

Dec 29, 2023 | 4:00 PM

NANAIMO — BC Ferries are preparing for a busy next few years at a pair of terminals connecting the Harbour City with Gabriola Island.

Work on marine structures at both Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour will take place beginning Jan. 12 for a scheduled six days as the company looks ahead to a future project which will more substantially overhaul infrastructure both terminals.

Spokesperson Deborah Marshall told NanaimoNewsNOW the overnight work is a necessary first step.

“We are going to be doing some geotechnical work on the berth structures at both Descanso Bay and Nanaimo Harbour. This is work so that we can plan for berth re-builds which will happen in 2025.”

The work will include drilling and other construction activities between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

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Marshall said they’ve instructed their contractor to try and mitigate any impact to residents.

“There might be some overnight noise and anybody close to the terminal might be able to hear that and we certainly apologize to our customers and residents if they are impacted by any night noise, we’ll certainly try to keep it to a minimum.”

Crews will be on site on Gabriola Island on Jan. 12, 15-17 and 19, as well as in Nanaimo on Jan. 18.

To accommodate work during the three consecutive day stretch on Gabriola Island, planned sailing cancellations are in place for late night and early morning crossings beginning at 9:40 p.m. on Jan. 15 and continuing through to the 5:40 a.m. departure from Nanaimo on Wednesday, Jan. 17.

BC Ferries said these sailings were chosen because they are statistically the least used and will impact the fewest number of people travelling for work, school or appointments.

Complimentary water taxi service connecting the two terminals will be available and operate on the regularly scheduled times.

A full list of cancelled sailings for vehicles is below, with the water taxi offering substitute service for passengers.

• Monday, Jan. 15: 9:40 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. from Descanso Bay; 10:05 p.m. & 10:55 p.m. from Nanaimo Harbour
• Tuesday, Jan. 16: 5:15 a.m., 9:40 p.m. & 10:30 p.m. from Descanso Bay; 5:40 a.m., 10:05 p.m. & 10:55 p.m. from Nanaimo Harbour
• Wednesday, Jan. 17: 5:15 a.m. from Descanso Bay; 5:40 a.m. from Nanaimo Harbour

Information for reimbursement for travel or parking-related costs is available on the BC Ferries website.

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