After a six-month absence, the Queen of New Westminster has returned to service.
BC Ferries says the 60-year-old vessel went out of service last September because of a failure in the propeller shaft, causing the propeller to detach.
This led to crews disassembling the propulsion system, replacing the propeller shafts, and later repairing the rudder system, hull, and protective coatings, costing the ferry-line $8.5 million while the vessel was out of service. It returned on Friday this week.
Along with the money, the vessel’s absence led to adjustments to keep service running, adding pressure to the other vessels.
With the Queen back in service, the ferry-line says they’re adjusting schedules for this coming Spring Break.
“The Queen of New Westminster will cover 16 of the 23 affected round trips on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route during Spring Break,” said BC Ferries.
“However, some sailings will operate with reduced capacity due to vessel size differences. Further adjustments will be required as the Queen of Surrey, originally scheduled for refit in March, must now remain in service longer to provide coverage for the Queen of Oak Bay. As a result, the Queen of Surrey’s refit has been rescheduled, impacting travel between Horseshoe Bay-Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay-Langdale over Easter weekend.”
They say these changes come as maintaining the Westminster, Surrey, and Oak Bay vessels takes more time because they were made in the 1960’s and 1980’s.
They expect higher than usual demand for Spring Break, and are encouraging customers to plan ahead and book in advance.
