BC Ferries vessel breakdowns expected to continue

BC Ferries anticipates a decline in service quality due to its aging fleet, as demonstrated by a recent incident involving the Queen of Coquitlam, which lost steering control and left passengers stranded. According to Executive Director Jeff Groot, many of the oldest vessels, including the Queens of Alberni and New Westminster, are operating beyond their intended lifespan. The replacement of these ferries has been delayed until at least 2029, with BC Ferries attributing the setbacks to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for regulatory approvals from the BC Ferries Commissioner. The provincial government has stated that BC Ferries is responsible for its procurement process and has declined to comment further on the matter. Conservative Transportation Critic Harman Bhangu criticized the government for failing to expedite the construction of new vessels, emphasizing the five-year wait for replacement ships.

BC Ferries will focus on managing public expectations as it acknowledges that service quality will not improve until the old vessels are replaced. The province spends approximately $300 million annually on ferry services, underscoring the financial stakes involved in the situation. Stakeholders are urging the government to collaborate with BC Ferries to develop a concrete plan for replacing the aging fleet.