BC Ferries malfunction leaves hundreds of passengers stranded for hours

A BC Ferries vessel experienced a mid-voyage breakdown on Sunday evening, stranding hundreds of passengers in the process.

The Coastal Renaissance was making a trip from Nanaimo to Tsawwassen. The sailing began at 8:15 pm and was forced to anchor off at Jack Point 15 minutes later.

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Deborah Marshall, a spokesperson for BC Ferries, says that the vessel “experienced a mechanical failure due to an electrical issue.”

The vessel was stranded for several hours, with a tug arriving on the scene at approximately 10:30 pm. BC Ferries says that the vessel made it back to Tsawwassen at 12:30 am.

There were 569 passengers on board during the incident, many of which took to social media to voice their concerns.

@BCFerries terrible service at Duke Point. Ferry breaks down at 7 pm at 10:44 pm they decide we are not making it across and we have to pay for our own accommodations. #terribleservice

— Melmelmel (@landa_mel) June 29, 2020

@BCFerries 20:15 duke point to tsawassen engine breaker failure with no compensation or no helpful staff updates. hassle for 570 passengers. cool, man. captain just announced: “it is what it is” — thanks for nothing. @GlobalBC @CTVVancouver

— Carlo Fortin (@fortincarlo) June 29, 2020

finally left the terminal approx 3:05am with the terminal manager regurgitating what ALL of the staff has been saying all night: “to call customer relations” — re: refunds etc, handing out these cards like it was candy on halloween @BCFerries #bcferries #getittogether pic.twitter.com/5ENDO3dyfC

— Carlo Fortin (@fortincarlo) June 29, 2020

“Mechanical issues happen from time to time,” Marshall tells Daily Hive. “Our crews are highly trained to handle these situations.”

Marshall adds that customers on board were provided with free food and beverages and that refunds have been offered as well.

“I want to thank our crews for the way they managed the evolving situation,” she adds. “We apologize to our customers for this inconvenience and disruption to their travel plans.”