People travelling between Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast will now need a reservation as BC Ferries deals with mechanical issues at the Langdale terminal that have cut vehicle capacity in half. The temporary measure will remain in place for at least the next week while repairs are underway at Berth 1. BC Ferries says mechanical problems affecting the sensor and hydraulic system of the loading ramp were discovered Sunday, forcing the berth out of service and limiting vessels to Berth 2. “Sailings continue to operate, but with approximately 50 per cent reduced vehicle capacity while repairs are underway,” BC Ferries told CTV News. “This is a complex piece of terminal infrastructure and repairs are ongoing. While it is still early in the repair process, we now anticipate the berth may be able to reopen before the end of the weekend.” The ferry service says that some bookings through July 15 may need to be moved or cancelled, but that affected passengers will be automatically refunded. According to BC Ferries, decisions about cancelling or moving bookings will be based on when the reservation was made, with the most recent ones at higher risk of being affected. As of Tuesday, the ferry service says it has not had to cancel any bookings. BC Ferries says additional advance booking space may become available throughout the week. In the meantime, people are being encouraged to travel as foot passengers and use public transit, taxis or ride share services, as parking lots at the terminal are expected to reach capacity. One traveller described the situation at the terminal as “chaos” in an email to CTV News, while another expressed concern for Sunshine Coast locals with jobs or medical appointments on the Lower Mainland.
