Disruptions continue for popular BC Ferries route between Vancouver, Victoria

The BC Ferries vessel Spirit of Vancouver Island leaves Tsawwassen, B.C., bound for Swartz Bay, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Disruptions on a popular BC Ferries route between Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria will last through the Easter long weekend after a vessel experienced mechanical problems this week.

BC Ferries says that the generator problem on the Spirit of Vancouver Island that led to multiple cancelled sailings on Tuesday has also led to a revised schedule for the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route through April 8.

The new schedule will have only 12 sailings per day in each direction on most days, when the previous schedule had a maximum of 16 sailings a day during the holiday weekend.

The Spirit of Vancouver Island was pulled from service Tuesday because of the mechanical problem that the operator thought had been repaired last week.

BC Ferries also says an engine problem on another vessel has also led to multiple cancelled sailings between Chemainus on Vancouver Island and Thetis Island.

BC Ferries has said the disruptions on the Tsawwassen—Swartz Bay route highlights the need for a fifth new vessel that was not approved by the B.C. Ferries Commissioner in March 2025, when the addition of four new vessels were given the green light to proceed.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2026.