Spirit of Vancouver Island generator failure
Operator fault — equipmentCompensable
A repeat generator failure on a flagship vessel disrupted the busiest Victoria–mainland route — the same fault that had supposedly just been repaired.
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The facts
| Date | Late March 2026 |
| Route | Swartz Bay (Victoria) – Tsawwassen (Route 1 (SWB–TSA)) |
| Terminal affected | Swartz Bay / Tsawwassen |
| Cause | Vessel generator failure (Spirit of Vancouver Island) |
| Cause category | Infrastructure / equipment — within operator control (not weather) |
| Resolution | BC Ferries ran a modified schedule between Victoria and Tsawwassen until the vessel was repaired. |
What happened
A mechanical failure of a starboard generator on the Spirit of Vancouver Island forced BC Ferries onto a modified schedule on its busiest route, Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen, with sailings cancelled. The vessel had only recently returned from repairs for the same generator problem.
- A starboard generator on the Spirit of Vancouver Island failed.
- BC Ferries cancelled sailings and ran a modified Swartz Bay–Tsawwassen schedule.
- The vessel had recently returned from repairs for the same generator.