New Denman Island cable ferry stranded by hydraulic failure

The new BC Ferries cable ferry connecting Vancouver and Denman islands broke down this morning, stranding those on board.

BC Ferries say a hydraulic hose system failed around 9:30 am PT Friday, creating some smoke and leaving the ship dead in the water with 25 passengers aboard.

By 12:30 p.m. the ferry, which is called the Baynes Sound Connector, was reportedly moving slowly toward Buckley Bay on Vancouver Island.

In the meantime BC Ferries has brought in a water taxi for foot passengers until service canbe restored.

Many area residents were concerned about the reliability of the new cable ferry, before it went into service early this year, replacing a propeller-driven ship.