Tempers flared at a B.C. Ferries terminal Monday evening after mechanical issues forced the Queen of Cowichan out of commission, according to police. Nanaimo RCMP said officers were called around 6:20 p.m. to assist with “several upset passengers” after the 4 p.m. sailing from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay terminal to the mainland was cancelled. Among the frustrated customers was a man who “attempted to block passengers from loading,” said Gary O’Brien, retired constable and media relations officer for the detachment. “We spoke with him, calmed him down and he was later allowed to travel with his family,” O’Brien said in an email. “He was concerned that his family would miss their flight home the next day to Italy.” Two other passengers also became “abusive towards ferry staff,” O’Brien said. Authorities managed to calm both of them down as well, and they were ultimately allowed to board a later sailing out of Duke Point. Nanaimo RCMP said officers remained at Departure Bay for another hour to ensure there were no other problems. The Queen of Cowichan remained out of service Tuesday, with all of the vessel’s scheduled sailings between Nanaimo and West Vancouver’s Horseshoe Bay cancelled. “We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of these cancellations,” B.C. Ferries said in a service notice.
