'We are full,' says BC Ferries as long weekend travellers face multiple sailing waits, traffic delays
Many standby travellers were turned away Friday with multiple sailing waits and police called to help
With thousands preparing to head out of town for the August long weekend, many British Columbians headed to the ferries Friday hoping to spend B.C. Day on Vancouver Island or other destinations off the South Coast.
Many were disappointed.
So many, in fact, that the waits to board a ferry started piling up early Friday morning — to the point where police had to be called to help manage the scene at the Horseshoe Bay terminal.
"If you're not already at the terminal and if you do not have a reservation, we are full for the day," Deborah Marshall told CBC News on Friday afternoon. "I would consider travelling late on Saturday or Sunday morning."
The congestion meant many standby travellers were turned away; it also delayed sailings and caused difficulty for some ferry staff trying to get to work at the Horseshoe Bay and Tsawwassen terminals.
Marshall said ferries are operating at full capacity and while the August long weekend is normally one of the busiest of the year, the wildfires in the Interior may have exacerbated the demand.
"Something that might be compounding it is people were planning on going to the Interior this weekend, but with the wildfires and smoke perhaps they've changed their plans and now they're trying to get over to Vancouver Island or the Sunshine Coast," she said.
Earlier Friday, the Queen of New Westminster was delayed due to the staffing issue, which Marshall said was due to high passenger traffic volumes.
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BCFHeadsUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BCFHeadsUp</a><br>⚠️ It's the busiest weekend of the year ⚠️<br>Customers without a booking will experience multiple sailing waits.<br><br>If you don't have a booking, the best way to avoid waits today & tomorrow, & travel at a time that suits you, is to travel as a foot passenger (1/3) <a href="https://t.co/WzhuURmmzu">pic.twitter.com/WzhuURmmzu</a>
—@BCFerriesMarshall says reservations for most of the weekend are completely booked up and that long wait times are expected through Monday.
"If customers have booked a reservation, we would suggest that they arrive at the terminals early because the roads are congested. But if you have a reservation, not a problem, you will get on the sailing that you booked," she said.
As for people without a reservation, Marshall recommends waiting until at least Saturday afternoon, or leaving the car at home.
"Travel as a foot passenger and have somebody pick you up on the other side," she said. "And make sure you bring plenty of water for yourself and your pets."
With files from Isabelle Raghem