Needed repairs to a BC Ferries vessel will mean sailing cancellations on Thursday, Dec. 19 and Friday, Dec. 20 between Departure Bay in Nanaimo and the Lower Mainland. (File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)
change of plans

‘Required maintenance’ to cancel multiple Nanaimo-Vancouver ferries

Dec 17, 2024 | 2:12 PM

NANAIMO — Pre-Christmas travellers may need to make other arrangements trying to get ahead of holiday traffic.

BC Ferries have announced “required maintenance” is needed on one of its vessels which will force the cancellation of four sailings on both Thursday, Dec. 19 and Friday, Dec. 20 between Nanaimo’s Departure Bay terminal and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver.

Affected trips include the 12 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. sailings from Departure Bay on Thursday, as well as corresponding return trips at 2:30 p.m. and 7:05 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay.

On Friday, the 9:40 a.m. and 2:20 p.m. crossings from Departure Bay are off the schedule, along with the 12 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. trips from Horseshoe Bay.

“If you have a booking on one of these cancelled sailings, you will hear from our Customer Service Centre who will let you know if we can fit you on an alternate sailing later in the day, or if your booking must be cancelled,” BC Ferries said in a service notice. “In the case of a cancellation, we will refund your fees and/or fares.”

The company expects other sailings to proceed as scheduled from Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay, as well as an unchanged schedule between Duke Point and Tsawwassen.

The BC Ferries network sees over 900,000 passengers and 425,000 vehicles on board during the week prior to and after Christmas Day.

Full list of cancelled sailings:

Thursday, Dec. 19

  • 12 p.m. leaving Departure Bay
  • 2:30 p.m. leaving Horseshoe Bay
  • 4:45 p.m. leaving Departure Bay
  • 7:05 p.m. leaving Horseshoe Bay

Friday, Dec. 20

  • 9:40 a.m. leaving Departure Bay
  • 12 p.m. leaving Horseshoe Bay
  • 2:20 p.m. leaving Departure Bay
  • 4:45 p.m. leaving Horseshoe Bay

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