The temporary use of a smaller vessel for a B.C. Ferries route that serves north Vancouver Island is causing a flood of frustrated travellers who say the service has become undependable.

ʼNamgis First Nation elected Coun. Ernest Alfred says the temporary vessel, the Quadra Queen II, is too small to accommodate Port McNeill, Alert Bay and Sointula — small, intertwined communities more than 360 kilometres of Victoria.

“People are really frustrated,” Alfred said. “We've seen tensions rise and folks are getting upset.”

In mid-October, B.C. Ferries swapped the regular vessel servicing that route, the Island Aurora, for the smaller Quadra Queen II in order to accommodate other routes that have vessels currently being repaired or renovated.

The Quadra Queen II has room for 26 vehicles compare

See Full Page