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Anchor on B.C. ferry drops in Strait of Georgia, delaying passengers

STRAIT OF GEORGIA — An anchor let go unexpectedly on a British Columbia ferry Friday, delaying passengers for about 90 minutes as crews fixed the problem.
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BC Ferries passengers bound for Vancouver scramble from seating area of the Spirit of British Columbia ferry as an anchor let loose in the midst of voyage, on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022. An anchor let go unexpectedly on a British Columbia ferry this afternoon, leaving passengers to wait while the crew tried to solve the problem. The Spirit of British Columbia left Active Pass towards Tsawwassen when there was a loud noise and the ferry came to a stop. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Dirk Meissner

STRAIT OF GEORGIA — An anchor let go unexpectedly on a British Columbia ferry Friday, delaying passengers for about 90 minutes as crews fixed the problem. 

The Spirit of British Columbia had just left Active Pass towards Tsawwassen when there was a loud noise and the ferry came to a stop. 

Canadian Press reporter Dirk Meissner was on the ship and said the anchor was released and its tire-size chain links shook the ship as it sank to the bottom. 

He says the vibration of the anchor chain rolling off the ship was so strong that he thought the front windows might break. 

About an hour after the problem began, BC Ferries chief steward Tim Armstrong told passengers the problem had been fixed.  

While he didn't say what went wrong with the equipment, Armstrong apologized for the inconvenience and thanked them for their patience. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2022. 

The Canadian Press