BC Ferries navigates high Easter demand with vessel out of service

With one vessel out of service and the long weekend on the horizon, ferry terminals were bustling.

Getting a ferry ticket to and from Vancouver Island could be a challenge this Easter long weekend.

BC Ferries is warning passengers that there will be high travel demand and is asking customers to plan ahead, particularly those travelling on the busy Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay-Langdale routes.

On Thursday morning, sailings from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay filled up quickly with limited space in the afternoon.

The ferry service wrote that temporary service adjustments have been made due to ongoing maintenance of two vessels.

“Customers without reservations should expect very limited standby availability during peak travel days,” wrote BC Ferries.

The busiest days are expected to be Thursday and Friday heading to Vancouver Island, and Sunday and Monday returning to the mainland.

BC Ferries wrote that the service adjustments reflect the realities of operating an aging fleet. Although the maintenance schedules were planned well in advance, unexpected repairs have shortened timelines and reduced dry dock availability for other vessels.

The Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Oak Bay, both 44 years old, have experienced delayed out-of-service periods. The Queen of Oak Bay returned to service on March 27 while the Queen of Surrey will remain out of service into May.

To help avoid chaos at the docks, BC Ferries asks travellers to book in advance to secure a spot; consider travelling on Wednesday, Saturday, or Tuesday, if flexible, to avoid peak traffic; travel as a foot passenger, and consider using public transit to arrive at the terminal; and also explore alternate routes to and from Vancouver Island that may have more availability.