BC Ferries cancels Vancouver-Victoria sailings

BC Ferries cancelled several sailings between Vancouver and Victoria on Sunday because of problemswith one of its vessels.

The Spirit of British Columbia was pulled from service on Sunday morning because of electrical problems.

The following sailings between Tsawwassen on the mainlandand Swartz Bay on Vancouver Island were cancelled:

• 1 p.m. departing Swartz Bay.
• 3 p.m. departing Tsawwassen.
• 5 p.m.departing Swartz Bay.
• 7 p.m. departing Tsawwassen.
• 9 p.m. departing Swartz Bay.

The following sailings on the Queen of New Westminster were added to the schedule:

• 8 p.m.departing Tsawwassen.
• 10 p.m. departing Swartz Bay.

As of5 p.m. PT, there were some delays on the route.Both the6 and 7 p.m. sailings from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen was already full and the next sailing, at10 p.m., was about 30 per cent full. Heading in the opposite direction, the 6 p.m. from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay was 95 per cent full.

Passengers wereadvised to check delays and wait times on the BC Ferries website or by calling 1-888-223-3779.

BC Ferries spokesperson Mark Stefanson said the Spirit of British Columbia's propulsion system was having electrical problems.

Stefanson said engineers and an electrical specialist were working to repair the vessel so it could returnto service. It was expected the ship would be running by 7 a.m. PT Monday.