Engine issue cancels Queen of Cowichan sailings

BC Ferries has cancelled eight Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay sailings after a main-engine issue put the Queen of Cowichan out of service for the rest of Monday and much of Tuesday.

The ferry operator said the problem involves the vessel’s main-engine turbocharger. Its engineering team was investigating and expected repairs to begin Tuesday morning; it warned that at least four additional sailings could be cancelled if the work takes longer.

Sailings by the Queen of Oak Bay on the Horseshoe Bay–Departure Bay route were expected to proceed as scheduled.

The disruption follows mechanical problems involving the Queen of Surrey and Queen of Coquitlam, which caused delays and cancellations on the Horseshoe Bay–Langdale route Friday and Saturday. Passengers with cancelled reservations can consult BC Ferries’ compensation policy online; the company says responses to compensation, fare and travel-related requests normally take seven to 14 days.