The BC Ferries vessel Queen of Surrey passes Bowen Island while travelling on Howe Sound from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale, B.C., on Friday, April 23, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

By The Canadian Press

BC Ferries services hampered by forecasted high winds and vessel problems

Apr 6, 2026 | 9:17 AM

VICTORIA — BC Ferries is facing ongoing disruptions to services due to a combination of vessel troubles and wind that has cancelled sailings on some routes.

The operator has issued a warning for possible cancellations on the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay run due to strong winds in the forecast in the Strait of Georgia late Monday.

It also says there are “precautionary operating limits” on the Spirit of Vancouver Island, a ship used on the same route that was just put back into service on the Easter long weekend after a generator problem had it out of commission last week.

BC Ferries also struggled with another vessel breakdown over the long weekend on the run between Metro Vancouver and the Sunshine Coast, where the Queen of Surrey was sidelined with a mechanical issue.

The vessel had been put back into service on Sunday after a refit but was quickly pulled again, leading to several sailings being cancelled between Horseshoe Bay and Langdale.

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Another ferry was later diverted and water taxis were brought in to take foot passengers for “complimentary service until full service has resumed.”

BC Ferries did not provide a timeline on when the Queen of Surrey might return to service.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 6, 2026.

The Canadian Press