Changes to ferry service to Salt Spring Island and the southern Gulf Islands, which includes the suspension of travel through the Long Harbour terminal, will go into effect Friday, April 10.
BC Ferries announced it is adjusting service levels for the next 60 days to protect the health and safety of communities and ferry workers, ensure the resiliency of the coastal ferry service and better match ferry service to current demand.
Effective April 10, service to the Southern Gulf Islands will be amended to a simplified schedule that supports the movement of essential goods to the islands and provides options for inter-island travel.
Salt Spring Island will continue to be served by its Swartz Bay – Fulford Harbour and Crofton – Vesuvius routes. Trips between Salt Spring and the Lower Mainland will be done through Fulford Harbour with a change of ferries at Swartz Bay. New schedules with through-fare connection times have been posted.
Tsawwassen to Southern Gulf Island services will be combined as a one ship service utilizing the Salish Raven vessel based out of Swartz Bay. The Salish Raven will travel back and forth between Tsawwassen and Swartz Bay, while stopping en route at Pender, Mayne and Galiano. Customers with reservations on cancelled sailings on the Tsawwassen – Southern Gulf Islands route will be automatically refunded. The revised schedule will be available for booking reservations shortly.
Other service to the Southern Gulf Islands will be delivered by the Queen of Cumberland travelling between Swartz Bay, Saturna, Mayne, Galiano and Pender.
BC Ferries is advising customers to avoid any non-essential travel, including the upcoming Easter long weekend. For those that need to travel, additional measures have been put in place to keep customers and crew healthy and safe.
As this situation is rapidly evolving, BC Ferries encourages customers to monitor the website at www.bcferries.com for any additional changes to service.