BC Ferries now says the MV Quinsam won’t be returning to the Vesuvius-Crofton route until Jan. 11, 2023.
“During the scheduled refit of the Quinsam, an unexpected mechanical issue occurred with a critical engine component,” the corporation states in a Dec. 16 service notice. “As a result, the return of the Quinsam has been delayed.”
After being advised by the corporation’s scheduling team that the Quinsam should take over from the Quinitsa at about 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 21, BC Ferries communications manager Dan McIntosh said on Thursday afternoon that he has subsequently been told the date and time is not yet certain.
“The refit is not going as smoothly as hoped,” he told the Driftwood. “Dec. 21 remains a target, but we’re being told that could be pushed back.”
A revised service notice with the Jan. 11 date was issued on Friday afternoon.
The Quinsam, which carries 19 more cars than the Quinitsa — 63 versus 44 — was originally due to return from scheduled maintenance work on Monday, Dec. 12. It has been off the route since Oct. 24.