BC Ferries sailings resume after ‘mechanical issue’ that caused cancellations

The BC Ferries vessel Queen of Oak Bay is seen at the dock in Horseshoe Bay on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2025. (CTV News)

A mechanical issue that cancelled one round-trip between the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island Saturday morning and threatened others has been resolved, BC Ferries says.

The unspecified issue with the Queen of Oak Bay vessel led to the cancellation of the 6:15 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay in Metro Vancouver to Departure Bay in Nanaimo. The return trip that was scheduled to leave Departure Bay at 8:40 a.m. was also cancelled.

BC Ferries said in a service notice that all of the Queen of Oak Bay’s other sailings were also in jeopardy as crews worked to repair the vessel.

Around 9:10 a.m., the ferry service shared an update, saying the mechanical issue had been resolved and service would resume with the 11:05 a.m. departure from Horseshoe Bay.

“We know you have important places to be and apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced as a result of this mechanical issue,” BC Ferries said in the notice.

Reservations are currently mandatory for all Nanaimo-bound sailings out of Horseshoe Bay due to ongoing construction at the West Vancouver terminal.

• Read more: Mandatory Horseshoe Bay ferry reservation system now in effect