Vessel operating Tsawwassen-Nanaimo route will take at least 2 months to repair, says B.C. Ferries

B.C. Ferries says an out-of-commissionvessel travelling a major Island-mainland route will take at least two months to repair.

According to the ferry operator, anyone travelling on theTsawwassen-Nanaimoroute typically served by the Coastal Renaissance should book their spot in advance as space will be limited for those without reservations.

The vesselfailed last week due to a mechanical issue with the motor, causing aboutfour sailings per day to becancelled except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays until further notice.

In a Tuesday briefing, Stephen Jones,executive director of engineering, said it is unlikely the motor could be fixed before mid-October.

The company is in the process of notifying customersaffected by the cancellations through theupcoming Labour Day long weekend, with everyone affected expected to be contacted by Thursday.

Karen Tindall, director of customer care, says there is particularly limited space for the Septemberlong weekend.

She says those planning on leaving their cars at the ferry terminal should consider other options like taking public transit, carpooling, or rideshare options.

"Parking fills up extremely fast and by Saturday most terminals are seeing parking lots full," said Tindall.

The smaller Queen of Alberni is currently filling in for the Coastal Renaissance.B.C. Ferries has also moved the Queen of Coquitlam from its usual Horseshoe Bay-to-Langdale route to service theTsawwassen-Nanaimoroute on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Jones says the company will conduct precautionary motor inspections on the other operating Coastal class vessels in the next two weeks.

Tourism impact

Carly Pereboom, executive director of Tourism Nanaimo, says while ferry cancellationsmay discourage some travellers from visiting the island,those who can't get ferry reservations could consider other options like flying.

"The Island is still open for business," said Pereboom.

Pereboom hopes the new passenger-only Vancouver-to-Nanaimo ferry route by Hullo will provide more opportunities for travel.

"Hopefully that takes some of the pressure off and gets people across."

Employee burnout

President of the B.C. Ferries union says the cancellations not only impact customers, but also puts stress on staff.

"It's a difficult time when we have a vessel down, especially a vessel of this size and capacity," saidEric McNeely.

Technical issues also affect those at call centres and terminals dealing with the cancellations.

"That adds stress to the people who are looking to solve the problem," he said.