B.C. Ferries has cancelled two sailings on a major route due to a staffing crunch.
On Friday, the company announced the cancellation of the 8 p.m. sailing from Swartz Bay (Victoria) and the 10 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen (Vancouver).
B.C. Ferries said it has not been able to find the required number of crew to staff the vessel, the Coastal Renaissance.
“We require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations,” it said in a bulletin Friday afternoon.
“The decision to cancel a sailing in these circumstances is made when we have exhausted all options to find replacement crew.”
B.C. Ferries directed passengers to alternative service via the Tsawwassen to Duke Point (Nanaimo) route.
B.C. Ferries said its agents will contact customers with bookings on the cancelled sailings to rebook them on an alternative sailing, if space is available, and will issue refunds if bookings have to be cancelled.
