Queen of Burnaby repairs almost complete

February 15, 2012

If all goes according to plan, the Queen of Burnaby will be out of drydock shortly after undergoing major repairs, and back on the Comox to Powell River run by the end of the weekend.

"We are targetting Sunday as the return of service date for the Queen of Burnaby, we do expect to finish repairs by Thursday afternoon, and then we will test the ship in-dock," explained BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall.

"On Friday the ship will leave the dock for sea trials, which will continue on Saturday, and the staff will be re-positioned to Little River, " said Marshall, on plans to ramp up operations, and ready the vessel for active service.

Marshall says for the most part, customers have been patient with the Queen of Burnaby out of service.

"I think a lot of customers understand that we are doing the best we can while the vessel is out of service, I know that some Texada folks were upset that we re-routed the Tachek on the Comox to Powell River run."

Marshall says daily flights set up by BC Ferries Between Comox and Powell River, have been going out about half, to three quarters full depending on the flight time.

BC Ferries has also added two mid-day commercial sailings on the Comox to Powell River route, to take pressure off other sailings throughout the day.