Vancouver-Victoria BC Ferries sailings no longer at risk of cancellation

The BC Ferries vessel Spirit of Vancouver Island leaves Tsawwassen, B.C., bound for Swartz Bay, on Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Update: Just before 3 p.m., BC Ferries announced that conditions had improved and the two sailings will go ahead as scheduled. The original story follows below.

A pair of Monday afternoon sailings between Metro Vancouver and Greater Victoria are at risk of cancellation due to high winds, BC Ferries says.

The corporation announced the 3 p.m. sailing departing Tsawwassen and the 5 p.m. sailing departing Swartz Bay could be called off to protect passengers and crew.

A wind warning from Environment Canada is in effect for the Juan de Fuca Strait area, calling for winds near 60 km/h and gusts up to 90 km/h Monday afternoon and evening.

Coupled with the wind, the vessel on the route has a “reduced weather matrix as a result of an ongoing mechanical issue,” according to BC Ferries.

“We know travel plans are important and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Our team will continue to monitor the weather conditions closely and share updates as new information becomes available,” a notice from the corporation reads.

As of 2 p.m., no other sailings on major routes were impacted.