QUEEN OF ALBERNI

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Sailings cancelled due to engine issues

An issue with the engine of the 'Queen of Alberni' caused the cancellation of the 5 p.m. sailing from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay on June 28, the 12:15 p.m. crossing on June 29, 2022. On June 30, the 7:40 a.m. sailing out of Departure Bay was also cancelled, along with the 10:00 a.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay. A team of engineers as well as the fleet maintenance team was attending to the vessel in order to diagnose the problem and get it fixed it as soon as possible. The repairs to the vessel were significant, but it was anticipated that the 'Queen of Alberni' will be back in service in time for its 12:25 p.m. sailing. All other service on the route, handled by the 'Queen of Oak Bay' and 'Queen of Cowichan' was proceeding as scheduled.

Ferry assisted in rescue of 14 castaways

14 people were rescued from a vessel that was sinking north of Gabriola Island in the afternoon of Aug 15. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre received a mayday call at 1:48 p.m. from a vessel north of the island and east of Nanaimo. Aa consortium of vessels arrived at the scene to assist. These included the Queen of Alberni' that was diverted from the Nanaimo-Tsawwassen route, vessels of the Nanaimo Marine Search and Rescue Station and the Canadian Coast Guard’s hovercraft 'Siyay' that was dispatched from Richmond. Also an aircraft was ready to assist but was stood-down because there were enough resources on hand to recover all persons on board before the vessel sank. The 'Queen of Alberni' was delayed for 30 minutes due to the assisance in the rescue.

Ferry suffered engine trouble

On Aug 13, 2021, the 'Queen of Alberni' suffered an engine problem, and its sailings were canceled at Roberts Bank. Customers with bookings on the canceled sailings had their bookings canceled and reservation fees refunded. To assist with standby traffic volumes, the 'Queen of New Westminster' sailed an extra round trip on the Tsawwassen-Swartz Bay route, departing Tsawwassen aa 10 p.m. the same day and a midnight sailing leaving Swartz Bay the same day. The vessel, after repairs, resumed its sailing at 8.15 p.m.