Ferries return to new schedule
All three vessels on Powell River routes are back in service after returning from refits and warranty work, said a BC Ferries spokesperson.
The North Island Princess, the ferry that sails between Blubber Bay on Texada Island and Powell River, returned to service after BC Ferries’ crews finished refit work on the vessel, said Darin Guenette, BC Ferries public affairs manager.
The Island Sky, the vessel that usually sails on Route 7 between Earls Cove and Saltery Bay, had warranty work completed during the last two weeks of April and returned to its regular route Thursday, May 1. As previously reported, the Queen of Burnaby returned to its regular Little River to Westview route at the end of April.
While the berths at Westview and Little River were being rebuilt during the winter, the Island Sky operated between Powell River and Vancouver Island and the Queen of Chilliwack replaced her on the Earls Cove route.
On May 1, when the Island Sky returned to Route 7, BC Ferries implemented a new schedule that includes the provincial government’s mandated service reductions. As the North Island Princess has also now returned to its regular route, its schedule has also changed to accommodate reduction in service.
“Things should essentially be normal now with the correct vessels on the correct routes all through the busy summer season,” said Guenette.
A local working committee negotiated what it believes are workable sailing schedules under the curtailed BC Ferries regime.
All schedules are available on BC Ferries’ website.
