More ferries being added over summer in B.C. waters

VANCOUVER — B-C Ferries is putting five more vessels into service on key South Coast routes to provide more than 47-hundred additional sailings between now and Labour Day.

But its president warns that cancellations are to be expected as the company grapples with retirements and a global shortage of professional mariners.

Nicolas Jimenez says the company is still short backup staff to cover unexpected absences in key positions, particularly at the Swartz Bay and Nanaimo terminals.

He says the service is boosting training and hiring hundreds of new staff members, but getting to long-term reliability will take time.