Delayed repair forces BC Ferries to cancel reservations

BC Ferries' plan to ease what is expected to be a busy June weekend out of Horseshoe Bay has broken down because of a delay in repairs.

The authority had planned to put the Coastal Inspiration a vessel with a 310 car capacity on the route over the June 23 weekend, but repairs for the 2008 vessel aren't yet complete.

A planned repair to a propeller hub on the vessel is taking longer than expected. BC Ferries says it's unfortunate.

"You know we do run our vessels hard. They work generally for 11 months a year straight and unfortunately, from time to time, you do get [mechanical breakdowns]," said spokesperson Deborah Marshall.

Sincethere are noother vessels to replace it, the ferry corporation has been forced to cancel some reservations on some scheduled sailings between Horseshoe Bay and Departure in Nanaimo.

The cancelled sailings are from Saturday June 23 to Friday June 29. The Coastal Inspiration is expected to be ready by June 30.

The authority says it is contacting customers directly affected.

BC Ferries says the busiest day is expected to Sunday June 24 and hasmanaged to add five additional sailings, along three different routes, to help.

It's not the first time the ferry has run into problems.In 2011, the Coastal Inspiration rammed the dock at Duke Point ferry terminal, which damaged the vessel and a vehicle ramp onshore.

• B.C. ferry terminal closed after hard landing

In December, the Coastal Inspiration leaked oil into Nanaimo Harbour which resulted in the closure of the Duke Point terminal.