Skip to Main content

21.45°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Apr 14, 2022 6:59 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. ferry needs tug after breakdown, prompts cancellations before long weekend

Share On

b-c-ferry-needs-tug-after-breakdown-prompts-cancellations-before-long-weekend

Travellers aboard a B.C. ferry heading to Nanaimo endured an epic late-night sailing when the vessel had engine trouble mid-voyage. (Photo - The Canadian Press)

Travellers aboard a B.C. ferry heading to Nanaimo endured an epic late-night sailing when the vessel had engine trouble mid-voyage.

BC Ferries says the Queen of Oak Bay departed Horseshoe Bay at about 8 p.m. Wednesday and was expected to reach Departure Bay on Vancouver Island before 10 p.m.

But the 90-minute trip became a five-hour marathon when the company says the ship had mechanical difficulty with its steering gear.

It says a tug was needed to bring the vessel into the dock in Nanaimo at about 1 a.m.

Repairs forced cancellation of numerous sailings between Nanaimo and the mainland on Thursday, adding to service disruptions that ferry officials warned were possible through the Easter weekend.

Spokeswoman Deborah Marshall said earlier that a "full suite" of added sailings was planned for BC Ferries during the long weekend, but said cancellations are possible on short notice as increasing COVID-19 cases have the potential to affect staffing.

The company's website advises travellers to avoid waits by making reservations whenever possible, travelling at off-peak times and checking online for cancellations or schedule changes before setting out.

Latest news

rcmp-investigating-cause-of-bald-range-wildfire-near-summerland

RCMP investigating cause of Bald Range wildfire near Summerland

RCMP have launched an investigation into the cause of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C. The Penticton South Okanagan RCMP say the fire may have been sparked by suspicious activity and investigators are looking into the circumstances. Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on the afternoon of Aug. 7 near Princeton-Summerland Road, Bathville Road or Crump Recreation Site to come forward. Investigators are also asking anyone with dashcam or cellphone photos or video from the area to contact police. Police are warning the public not to spread unverified informat

canada-u-s-trade-talks-continue-as-tariff-deadline-approaches

CanadaAug 11, 2026

Canada-U.S. trade talks continue as tariff deadline approaches

Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc is meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington today as the two countries continue efforts to resolve their ongoing trade dispute. It is their third face-to-face meeting in the past few weeks. LeBlanc was scheduled to travel to Washington on Monday, but his flight was forced to return to Montreal due to bad weather. Meanwhile, Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Janice Charette, spent Monday in the U.S. capital, where she met with an official from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Team Canada is working to find a middle ground to av

CanadaAug 11, 2026

Ontario Liberal leadership race opens with debate over Ford record and need for legislature seat

Ontario Liberal leadership candidates, including former federal minister Navdeep Bains, took part in their first debate Monday night, with the five contenders criticizing Premier Doug Ford’s government on the economy, health care, education and affordability. The candidates also disagreed over whether the party’s next leader should hold a seat in the Ontario legislature. Two of the five candidates are sitting provincial MPPs and argued that having a seat in the legislature would provide a stronger platform to challenge the Ford government. Bains and two other candidates do not currently ho

quebec-premier-open-to-return-of-u-s-wines-if-trade-gains-are-made

CanadaAug 10, 2026

Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores. The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald T

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the

Related News

RCMP investigating cause of Bald Range wildfire near Summerland

RCMP investigating cause of Bald Range wildfire near Summerland

RCMP have launched an investigation into the cause of the Bald Range wildfire near Summerland, B.C. The Penticton South Okanagan RCMP say the fire may have been sparked by suspicious activity and investigators are looking into the circumstances. Police are asking anyone who may have seen suspicious activity on the afternoon of Aug. 7 near Princeton-Summerland Road, Bathville Road or Crump Recreation Site to come forward. Investigators are also asking anyone with dashcam or cellphone photos or video from the area to contact police. Police are warning the public not to spread unverified informat

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital