Evening sailings on the MV Quinsam were cancelled late Monday afternoon, due to a staffing shortage which also saw delays at the beginning of the day. (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

FERRY SERVICE

‘Staffing issue’ behind late cancellation of Gabriola-Nanaimo ferry service

Dec 28, 2021 | 7:59 AM

NANAIMO — BC Ferries is citing a staffing issue behind a suspension of service connecting Gabriola Island to the Harbour City.

A service notice was sent out by the company after 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 28 advising of the cancellation of crossings following the 7 p.m. departure from Descanso Bay.

Sailings on the route were delayed to start the day Monday, with an initial service notice sent at 5:45 a.m. advising the MV Quinsam was holding in dock on the Gabriola side.

BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall told NanaimoNewsNOW via email she did not have specifics other than “we didn’t have sufficient crew to sail.”

The MV Quinsam requires a crew of at least seven to sail, according to Transport Canada guidelines.

fine gentlemen

'We see a huge change:' $17,000 donation from Oceanside group makes huge impact in local schools

34m ago

senseless vandalism

'To say the least, it's disappointing:' repeat damage done to Nanaimo market sign

21h ago

Santa Surprise

Santa and helper elf bringing Christmas miracles to Nanaimo

Nov 17, 2024

Service resumed as normal on Tuesday, Dec. 28.

It’s not the first time the link between Gabriola Island and Nanaimo has been altered, as a result of staffing issues.

The schedule was temporarily modified in November with passenger only, water taxi service in the early morning and late evening hours paired with vehicle crossings during busier parts of the day.

The move allowed the company to staff the route with one crew on an extended shift instead of the more typical two crews exchanging midway through the day.

Newly implemented, at the time, vaccination mandates for transportation workers were identified as the primary reason behind a shortage in available staff for the company.

Join the conversation. Submit your letter to NanaimoNewsNOW and be included on The Water Cooler, our letters to the editor feature.

info@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @NanaimoNewsNOW