April 14, 2025
Fleet renewal underway as BC Ferries prepares for busy Easter Weekend
VICTORIA, BC - With high travel demand expected over the Easter long weekend, BC Ferries is encouraging customers to plan ahead, particularly those travelling on the busy Horseshoe Bay – Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay – Langdale routes. Temporary service adjustments are in place due to ongoing vessel maintenance, and customers without reservations should expect very limited standby availability during peak travel days: Thursday and Friday heading to Vancouver Island, and Sunday and Monday returning to the Mainland.
These service adjustments reflect the realities of operating an aging fleet. While refit schedules were planned well in advance, unexpected repairs this season have compressed timelines and reduced dry dock availability for other vessels. As a result, the Queen of Surrey and the Queen of Oak Bay, both 44-years-old, experienced delayed out-of-service periods. The Queen of Oak Bay returned to service on March 27th. The Queen of Surrey will remain out of service extending into May. While this has disrupted a phased and carefully coordinated refit strategy, all vessels are still expected to be ready in time for the peak summer season.
“We know people are travelling this long weekend to visit family, support local businesses, and enjoy all that this beautiful province has to offer,” said Melanie Lucia, Vice President of Customer Experience at BC Ferries. “British Columbians rely on the ferry system, and we’re doing everything we can to keep them moving. With a little extra planning, there are still ways to travel smoothly and stay connected to the places and people that matter.”
To help ensure a smooth journey this Easter weekend, BC Ferries encourages customers to:
- Book in advance to secure a spot
- Avoid travelling without a reservation during peak periods — consider travelling on Wednesday, Saturday, or Tuesday if flexible
- Walk on as a foot passenger if travelling without a vehicle, and consider using public transit to arrive at the terminal
- Explore alternate routes to and from Vancouver Island that may have more availability
The Queen of Surrey is currently undergoing its annual refit, which was delayed due to unplanned but necessary repairs on the 60-year-old Queen of New Westminster and the 44-year-old Queen of Oak Bay. The Queen of Coquitlam is providing relief service for the Queen of Surrey and, as a result, was not available to provide the additional sailings typically offered over the Easter holiday period.
“This isn’t just about one ship—it’s about the challenge of operating a fleet where many major vessels are more than 40 years old,” said Ed Hooper, Executive Director of Shipbuilding at BC Ferries. “That’s why we’re moving quickly on the four New Major Vessels recently approved by our regulator, with the goal of awarding vessel construction contracts by June. As no Canadian shipyards submitted proposals, our plan is to build globally and maintain locally. We received interest from several world-class international shipyards, and we’re focused on selecting a partner that can deliver the vessels on time, affordably, and to a high standard.”
It’s important to note that while the Queen of Surrey will undergo a life extension concurrent with the New Major Vessels project, neither it nor the Queen of Oak Bay are being retired when the four newly approved vessels begin entering service in 2029. These vessels will continue to play a key role in maintaining service until additional replacements are in place at a later date.
BC Ferries thanks customers for their patience and planning and looks forward to welcoming them aboard this Easter weekend.
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