VICTORIA — Powerful winds that swept across southern British Columbia this weekend have abated, but the effects are still being felt by travellers on one ferry route between Vancouver Island and the mainland.
Ferry cancellations on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route continued Monday, while the latest updated schedule from BC Ferries shows some disruptions will continue through Thursday.
The company says specialized technicians are repairing the Spirit of British Columbia after it damaged a section of its outer hull, described as the rubbing strake, while docking in heavy winds on Saturday.
Continued high winds, damage to the ship and trouble with a second vessel on the same run prompted lengthy waits Saturday and Sunday.
Several sailings from Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen were also cancelled Monday and BC Ferries says that noon-hour departures from Swartz Bay will be cancelled daily between Tuesday and Thursday.
But the Queen of New Westminster will offer additional sailings, including a 2 p.m. trip from Tsawwassen Monday and 4 and 8 p.m. departures from Swartz Bay, as well as an 8 p.m. Swartz Bay sailing on Tuesday.
The ferry operator was reporting single sailing waits at both the Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay terminals early Monday.