Propeller falls off BC Ferries vessel, spilling 800 litres of oil

About 800 litres of light hydraulic oil have spilled into the sea from a BC Ferries vessel after one of its propellers fell off this week.

BC Ferries says the type of oil leaked "disperses quickly in the marine environment" and no oil sheens have been detected as a result of the spill from the 60-year-old Queen of New Westminster.

The company says it is working with the Canadian Coast Guard to take "all appropriate measures" to mitigate possible impact to the environment.

BC Ferries says in a statement that the Queen of New Westminster was taken out of service from its route between Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria earlier this week after an inspection found a propeller had "sheared off from its propulsion shaft."

All of the vessel's sailings up to Sept. 30 have been cancelled until repairs can be made.

BC Ferries says it will try to accommodate passengers booked on the Queen of New Westminster on other vessels and will add sailings using different ferries "where possible."