Launch of Nanaimo-to-Vancouver foot passenger ferry delayed

The much talked about Nanaimo to Vancouver foot passenger ferry service won't be launching on time this summer, according to aposton Island Ferries' Facebook account.

The private company had planned to offer customerssix sailings a day from downtown Vancouver on two brand new ferries at the end of June.

Permits need green light

The companysays the delays are, in part, due to work needed for alicence to useTranslink'sSouthSeaBusTerminal in Vancouver which includes an environmental assessment on the potential impact of its operations on sea mammals.

The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority still needs to give the company's application the go-ahead.

The Facebook post details the outstanding approvals and permits needed to get the ferries moving.

Island Ferries says it is "disappointed" and "diligently" working through the required regulatory processes, however, the company did not commit to a new starting date.