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UPDATE: BC Ferries announces Thursday round-trip sailing between Nanaimo, Victoria

Route will take approximately 3 hours each direction
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BC Ferries’ Coastal Celebration vessel has been reassigned from its regular route to accommodate one round trip sailing between Nanaimo and Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

A ferry will run Thursday between Victoria and Nanaimo to get essential goods moving.

BC Ferries will run some additional sailings to make up for the current Malahat closure, Transportation Minister Rob Fleming announced at a press conference Wednesday afternoon (Nov. 17).

Fleming said the corporation is adding a sailing from Nanaimo (Duke Point) and Victoria (Swartz Bay) to connect the south Island with the mid and north Island. Extra sailings on the Mill Bay to Brentwood Bay route will also run Wednesday night while work continues on the Malahat section of the Trans-Canada Highway, he said.

READ MORE: Malahat to close overnight for 7 days after flooding, BC Ferries stepping in again

A representative for BC Ferries told Black Press Media there will be one round-trip sailing between Victoria and Nanaimo on Thursday, Nov. 18.

This is intended to “support the movement of essential goods and travellers,” a release from the company said.

The Coastal Celebration vessel, which accommodates the equivalent of 310 vehicles and over 1,600 individuals, will depart from Swartz Bay at 12:30 p.m. and arrive at Duke Point at 3:30 p.m. At 4 p.m. it will depart from Duke Point to arrive back at Swartz Bay at 7 p.m.

BC Ferries said it is offering the extra service for drive-up customers on a first-come, first-serve basis only. Reservations will not be offered, and assured loading tickets will not be accepted. Ticket costs will be equivalent to the fares for the Duke Point to Tsawwassen route – $17.60 for foot passengers and $59.50 for standard vehicles.

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READ MORE: Malahat reopening to alternating traffic following safety assessment


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