The Coastal Inspiration provides ferry service between Nanaimo (Duke Point or Departure Bay) and Vancouver (Tsawwassen). [BC Ferries]
Tuesday August 18, 2026 | VANCOUVER, BC [Posted at 8:19 am PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Due to unanticipated crew absences, this morning the BC Ferries 5:15 am sailing from Vancouver to Nanaimo (Duke Point) was holding in dock.
The sailing was to be delayed — and that would have delayed some or all of the sailings for the rest of today.
“We are unable to transport customers safely without the federally-required number of crew,” said BC Ferries in a release at 5:10 am this morning.
However, just before 6 am, replacement crew had been contacted and the possible sailing cancellations were not required.
The ocean highway:
As the BC Ferries on-water transit service between Vancouver Island and the mainland continues to see record ridership across the system while also grappling with an aging fleet on most routes, it is a management challenge that is likely to continue.
New BC Ferries vessels are coming on-stream at various points in 2027 and beyond. Maintaining staff for on-board and maintenance seems to be a continuing challenge.
The federal government provides substantial financial support to the Atlantic ferry system but significantly less to the BC coastal ferry system. Island Social Trends was the first media outlet last year to point this out, and it has now become a political issue.
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