BC Ferries announces service cancellations due to mechanical issues

BC Ferries has announced a series of service cancellations affecting routes between Vancouver Island and the Central Coast due to a mechanical issue with a vessel’s stern tube shaft seal. The disruptions impact travel between Bear Cove (Port Hardy), McLoughlin Bay (Bella Bella), Shearwater, Ocean Falls, and Bella Coola.

Repairs will require the vessel to be placed in dry dock in Vancouver. While initial advisories suggested disruptions through the end of August, updated information indicates cancellations will extend into September, with the final affected sailing scheduled for September 7.

To mitigate the impact on local communities, BC Ferries is working to source a foot-passenger-only water taxi to provide supplementary service to mid-coast ports. Passengers booked on cancelled sailings will receive automatic refunds, though they may also contact customer service to reschedule their travel.