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BC Ferries cancels even more sailings due to huge wind storm

BC Ferries has canceled about 80 sailings on numerous routes as of 3 p.m., and more cancellations loom as the storm lands in the lower mainland.

Thursday's huge wind storm moving across southern B.C. has been causing huge problems for ferry passengers from before the sun even came up this morning.

 Signs at Swartz Bay ferry terminal announce cancelled sailings on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. Photo by Adrian Lam/Times ColonistSigns at Swartz Bay ferry terminal announce cancelled sailings on Thursday, Dec. 20, 2018. Photo by Adrian Lam/Times Colonist

BC Ferries has canceled about 80 sailings on numerous routes as of 3 p.m., and more cancellations loom as the storm lands in the lower mainland.

“For the Swartz Bay route, Swartz Bay/Tsawwassen and Duke Point/Tsawwassen, they will continue to be cancelled until at least 7 p.m.,” said Deborah Marshall, BC Ferries spokesperson.

Some ferries have been making the crossing out of Horseshoe Bay; unsurprisingly the sailings from there to Departure Bay at 3:45 pm and the 6:35 pm are 100% full.

Winds have been whipping across Vancouver Island and the southernmost points of Metro Vancouver since early Thursday morning. Winds this afternoon and evening in Metro Vancouver are expected to be in the 80-100km/h range before they ultimately die down tonight.

The cancellations and resulting backups undoubtedly will mean more demand on Friday sailings heading into the holiday weekend, which were already expected to be busy.

While extra sailings can be added to ease the backlog, Marshall recommended travellers planning to take B.C. Ferries through the weekend make reservations, if they can.

If you are travelling via BC Ferries today or are anticipating a passenger’s arrival, be sure to check @bcferries on Twitter for frequent updates on the status of Thursday’s sailings. You can also use the BC Ferries website to check the status of any given trip or route.

With files from Bill Cleverley/Times Colonist