The Queen of Surrey, a BC Ferries vessel, appears in this photo taken in 2014. CBC
A police incident on a BC Ferries vessel caused major delays at Horseshoe Bay terminal on Sunday, leaving passengers waiting for several hours. Authorities later confirmed that the situation had been resolved after more than seven hours of disruption.
The West Vancouver Police Department said officers had cleared the area and were working to reopen access for the public.
Incident Begins Midday
The issue started shortly after noon when police and emergency teams responded to a situation involving a passenger on the Queen of Surrey ferry. The vessel remained docked during the incident as officials worked to manage the situation.
Emergency crews asked ferry operators to pause all arrivals and departures at the terminal. This decision led to delays across several routes and affected travellers heading in different directions.
Multiple Routes Affected
The disruption spread quickly across key ferry services. Routes connecting Horseshoe Bay with Nanaimo, Bowen Island, and the Sunshine Coast all faced delays.
Several sailings remained on hold:
- A morning ferry from Nanaimo could not dock on time
- Afternoon departures from Horseshoe Bay faced delays
- Trips to Bowen Island and Langdale stayed at the terminal without leaving
Passengers experienced long wait times, with some sailings still not moving hours after their scheduled departure.
Efforts to Assist Stranded Passengers
As the delays continued into the evening, ferry operators worked to ease the situation. The Queen of Surrey stayed at the dock while crews arranged alternate travel options.
Four small water taxis began service in the evening to help move passengers between locations. These rides were offered at no cost to help reduce the backlog.
Even with these efforts, vehicle traffic quickly filled both Horseshoe Bay and Langdale terminals. Staff warned that some travellers might not be able to board due to limited space.
Passenger Frustration Grows
Travellers waiting at terminals shared their concerns as delays stretched through the day. One passenger waiting in Langdale reported that an early afternoon sailing had still not departed hours later.
The long wait added to the stress of an already busy travel period, especially for those heading to the Sunshine Coast.
Recent Issues Add to Pressure
The Queen of Surrey has faced several challenges in recent days. Earlier mechanical problems and disruptions over the Easter long weekend had already led to cancelled sailings.
This latest incident added to the pressure on ferry services, raising concerns about reliability during busy travel times.
Ongoing Police Presence
Police remained at the scene even after resolving the situation. Officers received support from the Vancouver Police Department, marine units, and the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue.
Officials have not released further details about the incident but confirmed that public safety remained their priority throughout the response.
Service Gradually Returns
As the evening progressed, ferry services slowly began to return to normal. Crews worked to clear delays and restore regular schedules.
Travellers were advised to check updates before heading to the terminal, as schedules continued to adjust.
