Skip to content

BC Ferries cancels morning sailings as heavy winds hit Georgia Strait

Wind warning issued for region by Environment Canada, not clear when sailings will resume
20094379_web1_191216-PNR-Swartz-Bay-Ferry-Terminal
Morning ferry sailings are cancelled as high winds hit Greater Victoria. (Black Press File Photo)

Ferry sailings are being cancelled Friday as heavy winds batter the Strait of Georgia.

BC Ferries cancelled early morning sailings between Tsawassen and Swartz Bay (7 and 9 a.m), Tsawwassen and Duke Point (7:15 and 9:45 a.m.) and Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay (6:15 and 8:25 a.m.), as well as the Tsawwassen-Gulf Islands, Comox-Powell River and Quadra-Cortes runs.

The ferry corporation went on to cancel late morning and early afternoon sailings. The sailings between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay have been cancelled through to 2 p.m., Tsawwassen-Duke Point sailings have been cancelled through 12:45 p.m. and the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay sailings are cancelled through to 1 p.m. Tsawwassen-Gulf Islands sailings are cancelled through 12:30 p.m., Swartz Bay-Gulf Islands sailings are cancelled through 1 p.m. and the Powell River-Comox sailing is cancelled through 11:50 a.m.

READ ALSO: A dozen sailings between Greater Victoria and Greater Vancouver cancelled during first week of 2020

“The safety of our passengers and crew is of primary importance to us,” says BC Ferries in a service notice. “We don’t take the decision to cancel sailings lightly, as we know customers rely on us to get to their destinations. We will resume service as soon as it is safe to do so.”

Sailings will resume based on weather conditions. Check the BC Ferries website for updates.

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the region around 5 a.m., advising that a Pacific frontal system moving across Vancouver Island will cause “strong winds that may cause damage.”

Southeast winds of 60 to 80 km/h will develop in the morning over Greater Victoria near Haro Strait, the Southern Gulf Islands, the north and central sections of East Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast.

The winds are expected to ease up by noon.

Environment Canada warns that “loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage.” Drivers may need to adjust their driving with changing road conditions.

BC Ferries requests customers with reservations check in at the terminals in accordance with scheduled sailing times to maintain your reserved status.

READ ALSO: More B.C. Ferries sailings cancelled as windy weather persists

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.