For people who live and work in Port Hardy B.C., the final weeks of summer can make a big difference. It is when visitors arrive, rooms fill, restaurants get busy and tourism operators have an opportunity to build some financial cushion before the quieter months. Now, an extended disruption to BC Ferries service is threatening to interrupt that momentum, while leaving tourists with difficult decisions about their travel plans. BC Ferries has cancelled sailings between Port Hardy, Bella Coola and several mid-coast communities through Sept. 7 after a mechanical problem involving the vessel’s stern tube shaft seal forced it out of service for repairs. The cancellations began Aug. 19, and Port Hardy Mayor Pat Corbett-Labatt says the impact reaches far beyond the ferry terminal. “It really affects the tourism industry,” she said. “It really affects our accommodation, the rentals, every business in town.” Corbett-Labatt says late August and early September are an important period for tourism operators, and some international visitors have planned their trips years in advance. “It’s very disruptive and very disturbing,” she said. For local businesses, the concern is what happens when those visitors decide not to come or are forced to change their plans. BC Ferries says it has secured dry dock space to complete the necessary repairs and is arranging supplementary transportation for affected mid-coast communities. A passenger-only water taxi, along with tug and barge service, is being arranged for communities along the central coast. “It doesn’t help the tourists in the location,” Corbett-Labatt said. Visitors who change their plans may also have difficulty finding accommodation or rental vehicles if they decide to remain on the North Island. That can leave tourists with an uncomfortable choice: Find another way to continue their trip, change their destination or cancel altogether. For Port Hardy, the current disruption is also raising a broader question about what happens when the ferry serving the region is unavailable. “I think BC Ferries should have a backup ferry to help when things break down,” Corbett-Labatt said. She also believes the route warrants a vessel designed specifically for its needs. “BC Ferries should consider, because their fleet is aging, having a purpose-built ferry for this route,” she said. For businesses, losing even part of the late summer customer base can have consequences that extend beyond a few weeks. “I hope the locals support them as much as they can,” she said. BC Ferries says passengers booked on cancelled sailings will automatically receive refunds for applicable fares and fees. Customers who want to change their travel plans can contact the company for assistance. Affected reserved passengers may also be eligible for compensation under BC Ferries’ policy, with receipts required for consideration. For Port Hardy, the disruption is about more than a ferry temporarily being out of service. It is about what happens to a community, its businesses and the visitors who support them when a vital connection disappears during one of the most important times of the year.
