The Queen of Oak Bay (centre) sat outside Departure Bay in Nanaimo for a considerable portion of time Monday morning as crews worked to identify an issue with the ship's steering. (submitted photo/Ron Bell)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

mechanical difficulties

Steering issue adjusts Monday Nanaimo-Vancouver ferry schedule

Mar 31, 2025 | 9:31 AM

UPDATE: March 31, 1:00 p.m.: BC Ferries says the steering issue affecting the Queen of Oak Bay has been repaired, and service is expected to resume with the 1:00 p.m. sailing from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay, which will be delayed.

NANAIMO — An issue on board the Queen of Oak Bay is forcing a restructure of scheduled sailings between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay.

While underway after a 6:15 a.m. departure from Horseshoe Bay on Monday, March 31, crew on board noticed a steering issue and delayed the ship’s arrival into Departure Bay in Nanaimo.

The vessel sat outside Departure Bay, near the Hudson Rocks Ecological Reserve for a considerable amount of time, before eventually moving into dock in Nanaimo.

As a result of the delay, and to afford engineers time to diagnose and fix the issue, BC Ferries cancelled the 8:25 a.m. sailing from Departure Bay, with the 1 p.m. currently at risk of cancellation.

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Other sailings on the route will continue as normal with the Queen of Cowichan operating on schedule.

“We are working to resolve the issue and will keep [customers] informed as more information becomes available,” the company said in a statement.

Travellers looking to go between the two terminals on Monday should visit the BC Ferries website for the latest schedule and sailing information.

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