BC Ferries passengers stranded near Tsawwassen due to broken down Queen of Alberni

TSAWWASSEN (NEWS 1130) — Nearly 200 BC Ferries passengers who expected to dock at Tsawwassen Tuesday afternoon were stranded on the water for hours.

A “mechanical issue” with the Queen of Alberni meant passengers — like Robert — were stuck on board just outside of the Tsawwassen terminal from about 2:45 p.m. until about 7 p.m.

“We were advised prior to actually having the boat docking at the terminal that there was a mechanical problem and that they would require a tug boat to come and assist us,” he says.

Robert tells NEWS 1130 everyone was asked to stay in their vehicles, and it’s was generally “pretty quiet” on board.

“I can’t speak for anyone else of course because I’m in my car by myself, but there must be travellers that have deadlines and appointments. I’ve seen a couple people walking toddlers back and forth, so I expect they must be getting a little bit antsy trying to entertain little ones in a car for three, four, or five hours.”

Passengers on the Queen of Alberni have been stranded off Tsawwassen since around 2:30 pm due to a mechanical issue. Robert called @NEWS1130 and told us BC Ferries informed passengers of the issue – but haven't been able to get a tug to the area to get the ship out yet.

— Tarnjit Kaur Parmar (@Tarnjitkparmar) October 28, 2020

Deborah Marshall with BC Ferries said the issue was with the ship’s gear box.

“The captain and the crew did the prudent thing and aborted the landing,”  she explained.

The arrival of the tug boat took so much time because it was busy with another job.

All of Tuesday’s remaining sailings on the Queen of Alberni between Tsawwassen and Duke Point were called off.

Those are:

3:15 p.m. departing Tsawwassen

5:45 p.m. departing Duke Point

8:15 p.m. departing Tsawwassen

10:45 p.m. departing Duke Point

“Customers with reservations who have not yet checked in will be advised of the cancellation and will have their reservation fees refunded.  Those customers who have already checked in will be accommodated on the next available sailing,” according to the website.

Nearly 200 BC Ferries passengers who expected to dock at Tsawwassen Tuesday afternoon have been stranded on the water for hours. https://t.co/ky4x0qhOwZ pic.twitter.com/SzCC3Zb6yU

— CityNews 1130 Vancouver (Inactive) (@news1130) October 28, 2020