Neil
Voyager 
Posts: 7,185
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Post by Neil on Sept 16, 2022 17:30:25 GMT -8
Oddly enough, we don't have a dedicated thread for this, even though it's been one of the biggest stories around BC Ferries since we started coming out of the covid lockdown. It's a complicated issue, with many in the marine industry saying that a big part of the problem is the corporate culture and governance situation creating a very unattractive environment for workers new to the field.
It's only news these days when there are no cancellations. I'm not going to Courtenay on Saturday for my daughter's birthday; my 7:45am route 30 sailing was cancelled, and there was no other practical way to make it a day trip. I'm not going all the way from White Rock to Horseshoe Bay in the hope of getting on, when their reservations are full. Yes, they refunded my fare for that sailing, but I also had to cancel my return trip from Duke Point, and since that was a prepaid discounted fare, I apparently lose $20 of it. Absolutely wrong of them; they cancelled my way of getting to the Island. Trying to get through on the phone, I'm told there is a ninety minute wait. Guess I'll try a callback, and see what happens.
Bottom line, though- if this situation continues, more and more people are going to elect to travel where ferries aren't involved. David Hahn was right; although BC Ferries has no competitors in its field, it has a lot of competition from other travel and vacation options. I specifically wanted to go to Vancouver Island, but a lot of people could elect to go to the Okanagan.
We'll have to see if the changes in management do anything to mitigate staffing shortages. BC Ferries isn't the only marine employer hurting for personnel. Are employers in general just not offering attractive enough conditions and pay, or is today's workforce, young or otherwise, just looking to sit behind computers for a living? I don't know.
EDIT: Then they phone you back a full day later with a recording that says the crew issues have been resolved, and all you have to do is make a new reservation. As if you haven't in the meantime made other, much less satisfactory plans. Grrr...
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Post by whalebreath on Sept 16, 2022 20:29:51 GMT -8
Bottom line, though- if this situation continues, more and more people are going to elect to travel where ferries aren't involved. David Hahn was right; although BC Ferries has no competitors in its field, it has a lot of competition from other travel and vacation options. I specifically wanted to go to Vancouver Island, but a lot of people could elect to go to the Okanagan. Welcome to my summer-normally I make a couple trips but this year not one-add the unspeakable rise in rental car rates to flaky ferry options it's been a No Go and Yes tourism in other places in BC is booming. Yes that's something I see in places that were formerly staffed by young people entering the work force-just this AM I saw one young woman struggling to understand my tea order at a favourite shop she was either developmentally challenged, deaf or just not accustomed to interacting with the public. |
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Sept 18, 2022 22:17:15 GMT -8
This happened to me twice going to Southern Gulf Island while there was cancellations but it got resolved but I never had to rebook or change my plans but I BC Ferries would have allow through fares on routes 5 and 1 if was sailing where canceled. I have notice that there are lot more cancellations due crew shortage but 90% seem to be resolved; which, I personally think that no one should loose there reservation it should be rebook from BC Ferries end once they know the issue has been resolved for ever customer.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,185
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Post by Neil on Sept 19, 2022 17:42:52 GMT -8
So, in fairness, I have to report that I got an auto-email from BC Ferries apologizing for the cancellation of my reserved sailing, and offering me a voucher for a car and driver fare. They also offered to refund fully the cost of a return sailing that I may have made that couldn't be used. I didn't know they they were going to offer that when I cancelled my return, losing $20... so I still have to phone to rectify that.
Blue Bus Fan, they're not reinstating 90% of cancelled sailings. But it doesn't seem to be quite as bad as a while back, when every cancelled sailing stayed cancelled. Still, most people make other plans, or just don't go. It is not a dependable transportation system right now.
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Post by Kahloke on Sept 22, 2022 8:33:37 GMT -8
I guess I got lucky when we traveled to and from Pender back in July. Both sailings were operating and on time. We also got lucky going to and from Orcas this year, so far. Yesterday and today are reminders of how thread-bare our ferry systems are operating. In the San Juans, Yakima was out of service most of the day yesterday due to crewing issues, as was Issaquah down at Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, dropping that route down to 1-boat service. Today, Chelan is out, again due to crewing issues, and they are re-assigning Tillikum from inter-island duty to help out getting folks to and from Anacortes.
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Post by Kahloke on Sept 22, 2022 17:52:34 GMT -8
Here's a good example of the other consequence of having a vessel down because of the lack of crew: the other vessels get woefully behind. wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspxNot a good week in the islands, and just like with BC Ferries, becoming all too common, unfortunately. |
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Post by Olympic Ferries on Sept 22, 2022 20:21:22 GMT -8
Here's a good example of the other consequence of having a vessel down because of the lack of crew: the other vessels get woefully behind. wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspxNot a good week in the islands, and just like with BC Ferries, becoming all too common, unfortunately. Any idea as to why crew just seems to be dropping out of shifts day-of like this? The sailings are scheduled, so... I'm still confused as to why this keeps happening. Widespread marine crew shortage is something I'm aware of, but surely they know about that too. So would it be feasible to make changes around that to need less crew if possible, cause that seems at least a little more consistent than the current situation? |
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Post by northwesterner on Sept 23, 2022 17:30:37 GMT -8
Here's a good example of the other consequence of having a vessel down because of the lack of crew: the other vessels get woefully behind. wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspxNot a good week in the islands, and just like with BC Ferries, becoming all too common, unfortunately. Any idea as to why crew just seems to be dropping out of shifts day-of like this? The sailings are scheduled, so... I'm still confused as to why this keeps happening. Widespread marine crew shortage is something I'm aware of, but surely they know about that too. So would it be feasible to make changes around that to need less crew if possible, cause that seems at least a little more consistent than the current situation? People are calling out sick and there's no on call crew members available to back them up. |
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Post by whalebreath on Sept 27, 2022 20:07:39 GMT -8
People are calling out sick and there's no on call crew members available to back them up. Few want one of those so/so 'on call' jobs-how can a person afford a place to live and a reliable vehicle on what it pays? And like bus drivers working for BC Ferries means owning a vehicle to make all those different shifts - transit just doesn't cut it. |
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,185
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Post by Neil on Nov 3, 2022 19:57:45 GMT -8
So, a few days ago, I got my promised voucher for a free passage, because of a cancelled reservation. Have to admit, I'm content with it; I had reserved a heavily discounted trip, I think about $39 for a car and driver to Duke Point, and the voucher I got was for a full fare. Maybe I'm too forgiving because I like ferries so much, and the passage of a few weeks has dulled my annoyance. Whatever. It's printed really nicely and the language is apologetic.
I can only imagine how many of these they've mailed out- yes, mailed, in 2022, in this era of crew shortages.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,185
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Post by Neil on Nov 10, 2022 21:10:20 GMT -8
So... a post about the current practical limitations of our ferry system. Nothing out of the ordinary. My daughter was coming over today from Courtenay for a dental appointment, and although she reserved for the 0745 from Duke Point, she didn't reserve going back, and of course, there was the service cancellation on route two, which caused route thirty to become fully booked westbound. So, she cancelled her dentist appointment, and she, her sister and I did a visit to Reifel Island for a duck fix (her passion), and then she headed to Tsawwassen to try her luck for Swartz Bay. She got on the 3pm sailing, and did the long drive south and up the Malahat.
Our current situation is ridiculous. You cannot depend on ferries. Old, broken down boats, lack of crew... and in our immediate future, weather cancellations as well. That's where we are.
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Post by WettCoast on Nov 10, 2022 22:12:11 GMT -8
Our current situation is ridiculous. You cannot depend on ferries. Old, broken down boats, lack of crew... and in our immediate future, weather cancellations as well. That's where we are. Its even more than that Neil. We now have a brand new ferry that apparently can't carry a decent load. Its almost like chaos whichever way you turn.
To be fair not all the issues are within the company's control ...
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Post by Blue Bus Fan on Nov 10, 2022 23:24:08 GMT -8
Our current situation is ridiculous. You cannot depend on ferries. Old, broken down boats, lack of crew... and in our immediate future, weather cancellations as well. That's where we are. Its even more than that Neil. We now have a brand new ferry that apparently can't carry a decent load. Its almost like chaos whichever way you turn.
To be fair not all the issues are within the company's control ...
At least BC Ferries is trying to fix the problems but it can’t be done in day. |
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Post by Ferryman on Mar 7, 2023 20:58:12 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 7, 2023 21:23:03 GMT -8
Thanks for this. All sorts of good nuggets of information, especially on upcoming projects (possible tug-&-barge for commercial traffic on major routes, expediting the mid-life refit for Northern Adventure, etc). |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Mar 7, 2023 22:06:35 GMT -8
Here's another item from that report, explaining very high turnover in the Human Resources department, the very department tasked with solving all the other departments' people shortages: Yikes.  |
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Post by WettCoast on Mar 8, 2023 7:24:09 GMT -8
Here's another item from that report, explaining very high turnover in the Human Resources department, the very department tasked with solving all the other departments' people shortages: Yikes. I'll second that.
I also understand that Alaska's ferry system, the AMHS, is having the same or very similar issues, compounded by their inability to replace their old Spaulding vessels.
It seems that we are not quite as badly off here in BC.
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gabu
Oiler (New Member)
Posts: 1
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Post by gabu on Apr 14, 2023 13:59:25 GMT -8
That is seems interesting. thanks for this information!
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,185
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Post by Neil on Jul 10, 2023 21:20:01 GMT -8
Did a day trip today with a friend, to Galiano. She's such a good friend that I forgive her utter lack of interest in ferries, to the extent that our conversation causes me to not even pay attention to what Salish vessel I'm on. Anyway... partway to Galiano, the announcement was made that the toilets were not flushing. Not just one, but all of them. And upon arriving at Sturdies Bay, I noticed that water- of whatever quality- was falling from the car deck ceiling onto a vehicle nearby. Given the frequency of cancellations in our marine transit system, I was concerned about us getting back on the scheduled 4:45 sailing from Galiano. Maybe one of our BC Ferries or marine industry experts can weigh in, but I don't suppose Transport Canada would allow a passenger vessel to set sail with 500 passengers, and no functioning toilets.
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Post by WettCoast on Jul 11, 2023 8:52:35 GMT -8
Did a day trip today with a friend, to Galiano. She's such a good friend that I forgive her utter lack of interest in ferries, to the extent that our conversation causes me to not even pay attention to what Salish vessel I'm on. Anyway... partway to Galiano, the announcement was made that the toilets were not flushing. Not just one, but all of them. And upon arriving at Sturdies Bay, I noticed that water- of whatever quality- was falling from the car deck ceiling onto a vehicle nearby. Given the frequency of cancellations in our marine transit system, I was concerned about us getting back on the scheduled 4:45 sailing from Galiano. Maybe one of our BC Ferries or marine industry experts can weigh in, but I don't suppose Transport Canada would allow a passenger vessel to set sail with 500 passengers, and no functioning toilets. Sounds like you were actually crossing Hecate Strait and your boat was not of the Salish class ... |
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Post by Low Light Mike on Jul 11, 2023 14:38:58 GMT -8
Did a day trip today with a friend, to Galiano. She's such a good friend that I forgive her utter lack of interest in ferries, to the extent that our conversation causes me to not even pay attention to what Salish vessel I'm on. Anyway... partway to Galiano, the announcement was made that the toilets were not flushing. Not just one, but all of them. And upon arriving at Sturdies Bay, I noticed that water- of whatever quality- was falling from the car deck ceiling onto a vehicle nearby. Given the frequency of cancellations in our marine transit system, I was concerned about us getting back on the scheduled 4:45 sailing from Galiano. Maybe one of our BC Ferries or marine industry experts can weigh in, but I don't suppose Transport Canada would allow a passenger vessel to set sail with 500 passengers, and no functioning toilets. Sounds like you were actually crossing Hecate Strait and your boat was not of the Salish class ... Replying to say that I get the reference. ...and then sometimes even though the sailing was over, the trip wasn't. That stern door decided how much overtime would happen in the Cadillac of the fleet. |
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