Chaos on the Coast: BC Ferries Breakdown Strands Passengers Off Horseshoe Bay
So picture this — it’s a sunny Monday, people are coming off the long weekend, relaxed, maybe a little sunburned, kids still in that sugar high from Easter chocolate. The Queen of Coquitlam sets sail from Langdale at 10:50 a.m., bound for Horseshoe Bay. Everything seems fine… until it wasn’t. Just a couple nautical miles from the terminal, the ferry suddenly stops. And just like that, over 100 passengers find themselves stuck at sea with Horseshoe Bay in sight but completely out of reach.
The issue? A mechanical failure in the vessel’s pitch control system — something pretty vital for maneuvering. Engineers tried to fix it on the spot but had no luck. So after about 90 minutes of waiting and listening to sparse updates over the PA system, a tug boat was finally called in. Passengers had to wait another 45 minutes before the tug arrived to slowly push them to the dock. Talk about a plot twist no one asked for.
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And if you’re thinking this is a one-off fluke — it’s not. This route between Langdale and Horseshoe Bay has been plagued with delays and issues, especially around holidays. Monday’s problem led to multiple cancelled sailings and major inconvenience for those hoping to catch flights, make medical appointments, or just get home. Water taxis had to be scrambled into service, carrying 12 passengers at a time in shuttle mode. It was all very “make it work” energy.
But here’s the kicker — both vessels serving this route are pushing 50 years old. That’s five decades of wear and tear on boats that are still expected to carry thousands of people during peak travel times. BC Ferries themselves acknowledged that aging ships mean more breakdowns, and they’re pushing a long-term renewal strategy. Still, when you’re the one stranded on the water, talk of “future improvements” doesn't mean much.
Despite the hassle, passengers kept relatively calm. One rider, Rohana Rezel, summed it up perfectly. They could literally see Horseshoe Bay but couldn’t move. Frustrating, sure. But he said it still felt like “part of the adventure.” There were cheers and clapping when the tug finally arrived — a surreal kind of ferry celebration.
In the end, the Queen of Coquitlam did dock, and repairs were made. Sea trials were planned, and BC Ferries waited for the green light to resume service. But the bigger question looms: How long can BC Ferries keep pushing old boats to do new work? Until those upgrades happen, every sunny day trip could come with a surprise twist — just hopefully not one that leaves you floating in limbo.
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