Passengers stranded after B.C. Ferry breaks down near Swartz Bay

Credit to Author: Scott Brown| Date: Thu, 07 Nov 2019 20:57:00 +0000

A B.C. Ferries vessel sailing between the Southern Gulf Islands and Vancouver Island has broken down near Victoria’s Swartz Bay Terminal.

More than 80 passengers have been stranded aboard the vessel for at least two hours while the crew awaits a tugboat to tow the ship to shore.

The tugboat wasn’t expected to arrive until 1 p.m.

In the meantime, B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall says the passengers are being provided free food and beverage service.

The ferry service says the Salish Raven is experiencing a problem with its bow thruster, one of the vessel’s propulsion devices.

The malfunction has led to the cancellation of at least three morning sailings.

B.C. Ferries says the MV Mayne Queen will provide extra service with an additional round trip between Swartz Bay and Otter Bay on Pender Island.

The Salish Raven was one of three Polish-built ferries brought into service in 2017 by B.C. Ferries.