Close X
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
ADVT 
National

Power outage for new B.C. ferry forces trip cancellations on first day

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 14 Aug, 2023 11:48 AM
  • Power outage for new B.C. ferry forces trip cancellations on first day

The inaugural sailings for a passenger ferry between downtown Vancouver and Nanaimo, B.C., were cancelled Monday because of unseasonably high winds and an overnight power outage.

Hullo CEO Alastair Caddick said the company had to make the "very unfortunate decision" to cancel sailings scheduled for the morning. 

Caddick said passengers are understandably disappointed, but the company had to "adopt a deliberately conservative approach while we get our sea legs in these kind of conditions."

"We are equally if not more disappointed and we empathize with those people that had booked to sail with us today and unfortunately we couldn't sail given those circumstances," Caddick said in an interview Monday. 

A power outage in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island Sunday night cut power to 3,000 customers for about an hour, BC Hydro said Monday. 

Hullo said the outage caused a loss of power to the company's berth and vessels, affecting the assessments of its systems and the safety and reliability of its operations. 

Caddick said the company is still confident in its vessels, and it plans to continue to build up its abilities to handle conditions on the route through the summer and fall as it prepares for rougher winter weather. 

The company's first four sailings were cancelled, including the 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. departures from Nanaimo and the 8 a.m. and noon trips from Vancouver.

Caddick said the boats have a capacity of 350 passengers, but they didn't sell to capacity for the first sailings, likening it to the "soft opening" of a restaurant. 

He said passengers affected by the cancellations will be refunded, and those he spoke to were disappointed but understood the situation. 

Caddick said the foot-passenger ferry service is "much needed." 

"I think there's a patience for making sure when we do launch, we launch right," he said. "The weather's going to get better for us and when it does, our commitment to ensuring a safe, comfortable, fast voyage for our guests is unwavering and we can't wait to launch."

Caddick said the company hadn't made a decision about whether to cancel sailings on Monday evening or Tuesday, uncertain about the weather.

Hullo plans to operate two catamarans for foot passengers only between Nanaimo and the mainland, giving competition to BC Ferries, which does not drop passengers directly into Vancouver. 

MORE National ARTICLES

Shooting in Oliver

Shooting in Oliver
Mounties in the southern Interior of British Columbia are asking for the public's help after the body of a 29-year-old man was found. This comes after officers were called to a vineyard on the road Wednesday, where they confirmed a man was shot and killed. Police say the suspect left the scene but was found later that day at his home, where he was then arrested.    

Shooting in Oliver

Man flees from U.S. police, crashes in B.C. after speeding across border

Man flees from U.S. police, crashes in B.C. after speeding across border
Mounties in Surrey, B.C., say a driver who fled from authorities in the U.S., sped through the Peace Arch border crossing and crashed in British Columbia is now in custody.  They say RCMP responded to a report that a suspected stolen vehicle had crossed the border from Washington State around 8 p.m. Saturday.

Man flees from U.S. police, crashes in B.C. after speeding across border

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Kewal Singh

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Kewal Singh
Kewal Singh was last seen at approximately 4:00pm on July 23, 2023 in the 8500 block of 151A Street in Surrey. He has not been seen or heard from since. It is unusual for Singh to not be in contact with his family Police and family are concerned for his health and well-being.

Surrey RCMP need the public's help in locating missing man Kewal Singh

B.C. port union to recommend settlement agreement to its members

B.C. port union to recommend settlement agreement to its members
The BC Maritime Employers Association said Friday the agreement to be presented to workers is the same one the union's caucus rejected just days ago. In a statement, the association said the deal is the proposal reached with a federal mediator and was originally agreed to by both sides on July 13.

B.C. port union to recommend settlement agreement to its members

Arrest made in suspicious death

Arrest made in suspicious death
Prince George Mounties say they've made an arrest in a suspicious death of a woman found on Tuesday. Mounties say a 22-year-old woman died during a home invasion which they believe was a targeted incident.  

Arrest made in suspicious death

Celebration of Light kicks off tomorrow

Celebration of Light kicks off tomorrow
The fireworks competition gets underway tomorrow with road closures expected as a result in the West End and neighbouring Kits Point. Tomorrow night's competition will see fireworks displays from a team from Australia.

Celebration of Light kicks off tomorrow