High winds cancel all B.C. Ferries trips between Vancouver Island and Mainland

Travellers heading to Vancouver Island by ferry today will need make other arrangements.

B.C. Ferries has cancelled all of its sailings between the mainland and Vancouver Island on April 7 effective 3 p.m. due to high winds.

"The winds have picked up dramatically in the Strait of Georgia," spokesperson Deborah Marshall said Friday afternoon. There have been winds of 45 knots and gusts of up to 55 knots. Environment Canada is forecasting that winds will continue into the evening. 

"It's unlikely we'll resume service today," she said.

Concerns are twofold, Marshall said. One is for the passengers' wellbeing. "Usually the vessels can take more than the passengers can." However, docking can be a challenge in high winds, particularly at Tsawwassen.

BC Ferries' website mistakenly said routes to the Sunshine Coast were also affected but that is not the case, Marshall says. The Howe Sound is more sheltered from these winds so ferries to Langdale and Bowen Island are still running.

The following routes are affected:

• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Victoria (Swartz Bay)
• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Nanaimo (Duke Point)
• Vancouver (Tsawwassen) - Southern Gulf Islands
• West Vancouver (Horseshoe Bay) - Nanaimo (Departure Bay)
   
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  #BCFHeadsUp those with reservations on our cxled sailings today will receive automatic refunds for your res fee. ^sb

  — BC Ferries (@BCFerries) April 7, 2017

  B.C. Ferries says it is monitoring the situation closely and will provide updates as they become available. See bcferries.com or follow them on Twitter @BCFerries.

As of 2:30 p.m., Harbour Air said its seaplanes to the island were currently operating on schedule despite the weather.

All flights are currently operating on schedule despite windy conditions. Flight status info can be found online at https://t.co/WrMfgRwITF

— Harbour Air Seaplane (@HarbourAirLtd) April 7, 2017

Helijet also said it did not anticipate any cancellations due to weather.

We are flying! Delays may be expected with the high winds but we are not anticipating any cancellations today. Info @ 800.665.4354

— Helijet Intl Inc (@Helijet) April 7, 2017