All ferry sailings between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay have been cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday.
A BC Ferries notice on Tuesday morning originally explained that due to a mechanical issue with the Snug Cove Ferry Terminal the earliest sailing of the day could be the 3:30 pm departure from Bowen. The notice was updated later in the morning to say all sailings on Tuesday, February 4 and Wednesday, February 5 would instead be cancelled.
A further notice from BC Ferries on Tuesday explained that "overnight weather caused the floating dock at Snug Cove to shift out of position, making the ramp unsafe to use." A walkway at the terminal ramp on the island could be seen fallen into the water on Tuesday morning.
Sailings on Thursday, February 6 are also at risk of being cancelled if repairs to the ramp cannot be completed in time.
A pair of 12-person water taxis will be available during the cancellations for passenger service only. They will follow the regular ferry schedule.
Between 5 to 8 am and 3 to 6 pm on Wednesday, a 38-person water taxi will also be making sailings back and forth on a shuttle schedule. The afternoon run will leave starting from Horseshoe Bay, and the morning run leaving from Snug Cove. During these times the number of 12-person water taxis in use will also increase to four.
Wednesday's 7:30 am water taxi from Bowen and the 3:30 pm water taxi from Horseshoe Bay will have priority for students going to and from school.
All water taxis can be found at the end of Snug Cove Dock (located to the right of the Ferry Terminal).
Until the ramp is fixed Bowen residents can park their vehicles for free at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. Parking passes can be obtained from inside the terminal by showing a driver's licence with a Bowen Island address.
