The company running a new passenger ferry from Gibsons to Horseshoe Bay says it hopes to have its ship back in the water come Monday (March 14).
Pacific Ferries had to pull the Coastal Clipper from service March 1, just a day after making its first-ever early morning commuter run from Gibsons.
Linda Feuerhelm, director of marketing and media relations at Pacific Ferries, told Coast Reporter a piece of driftwood got caught up in a propeller, causing serious damage to one of the three stern drive legs. Feuerhelm said it would have been possible to keep running the Clipper on two legs, but the crossing would have been much slower and would not have met the needs of the passengers.
Feuerhelm also said they were able to get the leg to a repair shop in Everett, Wash., the following day, but the damage was worse than first thought, and it has taken some time to get replacement parts.
“In a way I’m glad that it happened now while we’re still in the upturn, rather than when we intend to keep going, because this could have put us out [of operation] for a long time,” she said, adding that they’re taking advantage of the downtime to perform some other maintenance.
Feuerhelm said about 20 passengers took advantage of their first early morning run, and she says that’s a good sign the route will prove popular.
“We are currently, and have been, actively eyeing a backup vessel,” she also said. “We just haven’t found one that is sufficient yet.”
Pacific Ferries suggests passengers keep an eye on the company’s Facebook page and Twitter account (@PacificFerries) for service updates.
