For the second weekend in a row, BC Ferries has canceled crossings on its Vancouver to Victoria route.
On Thursday, BC Ferries said staff shortages had led to the cancellation of four crossings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay on Sunday, June 19th.
The four canceled crossings are:
- 16:00 departure from Tsawwassen
- 18:00 with departure from Swartz Bay
- 20:00 departure from Tsawwassen
- 22:00 departure from Swartz Bay
Two crossings on the same route were also canceled on Friday due to lack of staff.
The two crossings canceled for Friday, June 17 are:
- 16:00 departure from Tsawwassen
- 18:00 with departure from Swartz Bay
BC Ferries says it must have a minimum number of crew members on board in each voyage to respond to potential emergencies under Transport Canada regulations.
“The decision to cancel a voyage in these circumstances is taken when we have exhausted all options to find a replacement crew,” BC Ferries said in a notice on Friday.
“That said, if circumstances change and a replacement crew is available, we will notify customers immediately.”
Last weekend, BC Ferries had to cancel crossings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay on Friday and Sunday.
Several morning crossings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale were also canceled last Friday, but were restored early that morning.
BC Ferries says passengers with canceled crossing reservations can contact their customer service center for refund information or for possible placement on alternative crossings later that day.
The ferry operator has faced staff shortages, although the company said it has hired 850 people so far this year, with efforts to hire more in the middle of the summer season. .