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Commuter chaos caused by broken ferry ramp in Snug Cove

As the ferry docked at Snug Cove on Tuesday evening, the hydraulic cylinder that helps to raise and lower the ferry lamp broke off from the pin that attaches it to the ferry ramp, causing long delays for Bowen commuters eager to get home on the 5:30
lineup
The line-up for water taxis back to Bowen on Tuesday evening.

As the ferry docked at Snug Cove on Tuesday evening, the hydraulic cylinder that helps to raise and lower the ferry lamp broke off from the pin that attaches it to the ferry ramp, causing long delays for Bowen commuters eager to get home on the 5:30 ferry.

By 6 p.m., Cormorant Marine’s forty-passenger water taxi, the Kinbasket Queen was up and running bringing passengers back to Bowen. At the request of passengers, Cormorant brought its two twelve-passenger boats in to help, but the company was told by the terminal manager at Horseshoe Bay that BC Ferries would not foot the bill. Cormorant charged passengers $10 for the ride, issuing receipts.

Meanwhile, regulars on the English Bay Launch water taxi service who were at Horseshoe Bay because the daily run from Granville Island was cancelled called owner and operator Mike Shannon and told him about the delay. Shannon brought in one of his smaller boats to help out, and brought three loads of passengers back to Bowen without charge.

By 7:15, a terminal maintenance crew from BC Ferries had managed to find a temporary fix for the ferry ramp at Snug Cove allowing the Bowen Queen to depart Horseshoe Bay. As of 9:45 p.m., the hydraulic cylinder was re-welded to the pin making the fix permanent.

BC Ferries says that people who paid $10 to Cormorant Marine can call the customer service line and may qualify for a re-imbursement of their ticket price.

BC Ferries Customer Service: 1-888-223-3779