BC Ferries says staff shortages have led to the cancellation of Metro Vancouver cruises to the Sunshine Coast and Vancouver Island.
A number of crossings between Metro Vancouver and Victoria have been canceled because there are no crew members available at the Queen of New Westminster to ensure passenger safety, BC Ferries said in a statement on its website.
Canceled crossings are:
Friday
- 16:00 Tsawwassen in Swartz Bay.
- 6pm Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.
Sunday
- 16:00 Tsawwassen in Swartz Bay.
- 6pm Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.
- 8pm Tsawwassen in Swartz Bay.
- 10pm Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen.
There is an alternative service between Vancouver Island and the mainland via Tsawwassen-Duke Point and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay.
Friday’s crossings between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale on the Sunshine Coast have also been affected by staff shortages.
The 8:40 a.m. and 11 a.m. crossings from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, and the 9:50 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. crossings from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale have been canceled.
BC Ferries said customers with canceled cruise bookings will be contacted to let them know if they can be placed on a cruise later in the day.
In case of canceled reservations, the fees and charges will be refunded.
BC Ferries said it had exhausted all avenues to find replacement personnel. If anything changes and there is a replacement crew available, customers will be notified immediately.
Crossings between Chemainus and Penelakut Island on Thursday night were also canceled due to staffing issues. There will be a free water taxi service.
20:05 ex Penelakut
20:35 ex Chemainus
9:30 pm ex Penelakut
21:50 ex Thetis
22:30 pm ex Chemianus
23:05 pm ex Penelakut
There will be a free water taxi service. ^ vr
– @ BCFerries
Impact on staff
Eric McNeely, president of the BC Ferry and Marine Workers’ Union, told CBC News that he had warned of staffing problems at BC Ferries last year.
“There’s always a fine line in business where you want to have an efficient operation and not have too much fat,” he said.
“I think what we’ve seen is that … there are so many efficiencies that the resilience needed in such a large fleet no longer exists.”
McNeely says the cancellations are affecting union members who are forced to work overtime or face negative interactions with travelers who must be told their journeys will not go ahead. He also said casual and seasonal employees would lose their pay if the crossings were canceled.
“If people are traveling, take a moment to consider that the person driving the traffic or providing food is also as valuable as the person with the ticket,” he said.
He says BC Ferries needs to work to hire more staff with better compensation. He also says the government should pass an amendment to the Coast Ferry Act that is currently in the legislature. The amendment would involve greater oversight of BC Ferries operations.