A gearbox issue that has sidelined the Spirit of Vancouver Island, which serves the busy Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route, will affect ferry travel over the upcoming Thanksgiving Day long weekend.
A smaller Coastal Class vessel will be used instead. The replacement can carry 310 vehicles and 1,604 passengers and crew, while the Spirit of Vancouver Island holds 358 vehicles and 2,100 passengers and crew.
A total of four ships will be sailing, with much of the booking capacity already used up, said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.
Those without bookings should be prepared for waits.
People with flexible travel plans can consider alternative ferry routes between the Island and the mainland from Tsawwassen-Duke Point and Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay.
In a message to travellers, B.C. Ferries said: “We appreciate your patience and apologize for any inconvenience you may experience as a result of this this change in service.”
