Police incident halts BC Ferries operations at Horseshoe Bay, multiple routes disrupted

On April 19, 2026, major BC Ferries services at the Horseshoe Bay terminal in West Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada were significantly disrupted after a police incident aboard a ferry vessel led to cancellations, delays and temporary suspension of operations across key routes.

Ferry services linking Horseshoe Bay with destinations including Langdale (Sunshine Coast), Bowen Island (Snug Cove), and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) were affected on Sunday afternoon when a vessel, the Queen of Surrey, was held at the dock due to a police response to an onboard situation. The BC Ferries website noted that the ship remained in place while authorities attended to the incident, which was described in a police post as action taken “to provide assistance to a member of the public.”

As a result of the situation, at least three scheduled sailings were delayed or unable to load and depart from the terminal. Other ferries already en route were held outside the terminal to prevent docking until the scene was secured.


Passengers on affected sailings reported lengthy waits, with some vessels paused at sea while crews and emergency responders managed the situation.

During the disruption, BC Ferries temporarily halted both loading and unloading operations at Horseshoe Bay to ensure public safety and facilitate police work.

Resolution and restoration of services

After several hours, the West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD) announced that the police incident had been resolved in the early evening, around 6 p.m. local time, allowing ferry services to begin resuming normal operations. Police and partner agencies thanked the public for patience and cooperation.

BC Ferries did not specify the precise nature of the incident or the condition of the person involved but emphasized that there was no ongoing threat to public safety once police had concluded their response.

The Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal is a major transportation hub in British Columbia, operated by BC Ferries. It serves as a central connection point linking the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, and Bowen Island, carrying millions of passengers annually. With three berths and extensive services, it is one of the system’s busiest terminals and a critical part of coastal transportation infrastructure.