Ferry broken, berth 2 out, HSB a zoo

The Cap arrived just after 2 as I did with plans to catch the 2:30. She unloaded from the island and stayed. She is in berth 1 with mechanical problems. Berth 2 has had a crane in for a number of days. Great for summer holidays. So berth 3 is the only open berth and cars are backed up into West Van.

The word I just heard in the line up at 3:32 is in about 20 minutes they are making a decision whether to start using the water taxi. Lots of summer tourists in the line with their vehicles filled with summer gear so cars are not going to clear quickly.

Basically it is uncertain when she sails again today.

Thanks for the info. I think I'll head for English Bay Launch instead.

Wonder what all those people wanting to come to a national park on Bowen would think of sitting in a lineup all day!

Sorry - I couldn't resist.

I just spoke with the Terminal - now known as Gong Show Central - and they are not yet sure if the Capilano is going to sail again today or not.

And yes, the staff person has tried to contact their web master to get them to post accurate Sailing Notice information!

They have the Cap in berth 1, berth 2 out with BCFC inflicted damage, so 1 berth for 4 ferries, one of which (ours) is currently not operational.

Sigh ....

Gin and tonic, anyone?

cheers, Susan

Thanks for the heads up, everyone..... I won't rush back to our enchanted island until later tonight... no doubt Brian B. and his water taxi will save the day as usual...! (as to National Park...fabulous idea... really... Crown Lands saved in perpetuity and no one able to get to the island in the summer. Oh well... rain and mist filled forests in the winter are even more beautiful...)

Well, it appears I was one of the lucky ones...

Was the second car through the booth after they started the water taxis. BC Ferries parking lot is FULL, after dropping my cooler off at the wharf I managed to get the last full size parking spot in the Lions Club overflow parking.

Walking onto the dock I ran into someone with a boat and didn't even need to wait for the water taxi. Looked like a 3-4 boat wait a little after 4pm but they had at least 2 of the big boats running.

Good luck to all, how things will look TOMORROW when I try to get my truck home is another story...

ps Nobody panic but the Dock Dance beer hasnt made it to island yet ;-)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/29/2010 05:16PM by Adam Taylor.

Ahhh... the beauty of living on an Island without a bridge.

Eventually it will sink in to all those who want a ferry to be as reliable as a bridge.

Till then they will complain or maybe move away but none of their noise will change what is.

As for the National Park, it will give some of the visitors an understanding of Island life and how a ferry that runs 365/year operates.

They too will sometimes learn that a ferry is not a bridge and an Island is not part of the mainland.

Some will learn faster than others but sooner or later.

Some will never learn and they will only stress themselves in reality.

Always have a Plan B.

Luckily everyone does have a plan 'B' - it's the various water taxis either to Horseshoe Bay or to Granville Island.

What, as ever, is disappointing to me, and to the BC Ferries staff apparently, is the poor use of the communication tools at BC Ferries disposal.

The last update on the web site was at 3:50pm. Here we are over 5 hours later and they haven't managed to give us any updates. The phone lines are closed.

It's pathetic customer service. Par for the course.