Repairs to the Queen of Burnaby’s propeller hub will necessitate shuffling of ferry service in the Powell River and Texada Island service areas later this month.
From Monday, January 19, to Sunday, January 25, the Queen of Burnaby will be temporarily removed from service on the Powell River to Comox run.
The Queen of Burnaby’s propeller hub has a slow oil leak and the ferry corporation needs to bring the ship to dry dock to complete the repair, said Darin Guenette, public affairs manager at BC Ferries.
During this period, the MV Island Sky will operate on a modified schedule, providing service between Comox, Texada Island and Powell River, while the North Island Princess will operate on the Saltery Bay to Earls Cove route on a modified schedule.
In order to allow sufficient time for the Queen of Burnaby to transit to the repair yard at Esquimalt Shipyard on Sunday, January 18, the 7:15 pm sailing from Comox and the 8:45 pm sailing from Powell River will be cancelled. Repairs to the Queen of Burnaby will begin on Monday, January 19.
Customers should be aware that the first daily sailing time from Comox is earlier than the current schedule during the repair period.
For Texada Island foot passenger customers, a water taxi service is planned to operate between the Texada Boat Club and the government dock next to Westview Terminal in Powell River. This service will operate on the regularly published sailing times for the Texada to Powell River route.
The MV Island Sky and the North Island Princess will both complete service as scheduled on Sunday, January 18. The Island Sky will head to Little River and the North Island Princess to Saltery Bay after completion of the runs.
At the end of the repair period, all three vessels will resume service on their respective routes with the first regularly scheduled sailings on Monday, January 26.
No Wednesday or Saturday reductions will be applied to the Texada Island or Comox sailings from Powell River during this period. The modified Saltery Bay schedule has an extra, late sailing on the Friday and Sunday night.
Water taxi service will operate with a regular Texada fare to be paid at the Powell River side only. A 27-passenger taxi will operate full time and will be augmented by a smaller, 12-passenger taxi during school runs. A shelter and portable toilet will be placed at the Texada Boat Club for customer use.
Regular Vancouver Island reservations will be available for non-Texada travellers. For Texada customers, a free reservation is recommended. Reservations are required for the Texada stop by calling 1.888.223.3779.
The Texada electronic sign at the gas station will be activated with relevant messaging during the Queen of Burnaby repair period. There will be no dangerous goods service to Texada Island during the repair period.
A Route 18 Experience Card discount fare will be charged to Texada Island customers, regardless of whether they are coming or going, to or from Comox or Powell River. Non-Texada customers will pay the regular Route 17 fare (E-Card discount available) to Vancouver Island. Route 7 fares still apply as per normal from Saltery Bay.
For traffic updates, reservations or more information, readers can call BC Ferries toll free at 1.888.BCFERRY (223.3779), visit www.bcferries.com, or go to mobile.bcferries.com on mobile devices.
