Hundreds of BC Ferries passengers delayed

Hundreds of BC Ferries passengers heading to the mainland from Vancouver Island were stranded Sunday morning because of mechanical problems.

BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall said the issue was an engine problem on one ofthe company'svessels, the Spirit of British Columbia.

This left hundreds of passengers bound for Tsawwassen, south of Vancouver, stuck at the Swartz Bay ferry terminal outside Victoria for several hours.

BC Ferries sent one of its newest ferries, the Coastal Celebration, to Swartz Bay to help move passengers while the Spirit of British Columbia was being repaired.

That vessel was put back into service just before noon.

In order to get the sailings back on schedule, officials cancelled the 2 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen.