Strong winds damage BC Ferries vessel and prompt sailing cancellations, delays

VANCOUVER – Strong winds prompted BC Ferries to cancel most sailings between the Vancouver and Victoria areas on Saturday, with one vessel suffering damage from the adverse weather.

The ferry operator cancelled nearly all afternoon and evening sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay and warned customers they may experience long waits outside the terminal.

The Spirit of British Columbia was held in dock at Tsawwassen after it suffered damage, while the Coastal Renaissance experienced a mechanical issue that made it unable to travel in the choppy waters.

The Queen of New Westminster was midway through its 8 a.m. sailing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen when the crew decided it was unsafe to complete the journey.

The vessel idled in calmer waters near Pender Island before heading back to Swartz Bay around 10:30 a.m. and waiting until after noon to attempt another crossing.

Two sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point in Nanaimo were also cancelled on Saturday.

A wind warning was in effect for Metro Vancouver with Environment Canada predicting gusts of up to 80 kilometres an hour and cautioning that power outages and downed trees were possible.

The Vancouver Park Board closed the Stanley Park seawall between Third Beach and the Lions Gate Bridge because large waves were crashing onto the popular walking and cycling path.