Marina fuel shipments denied passage on Gabriola ferry

Dangerous goods vehicles wait to leave Gabriola on May 15. Derek Kilbourn photo

Derek Kilbourn

Sounder News

A shortage of space on the Gabriola Island Class ferries for Dangerous Goods haulers meant both shipments for the marine fuel docks in Silva Bay were not delivered this May 15, the Wednesday before the May Long Weekend.

Gulf Island Seaplanes has been informed their shipment will again miss the Dangerous Goods sailing on May 22.

Gloria Hatfield is the owner of Page’s Resort and Marina. The issue of missed shipments due to lack of space on the ferry is not new – she had a fuel shipment missed last year as well.

BC Ferries said to safely load the Island Class ferries for the Dangerous Goods (DG) sailings, they can only take five vehicles.

BCF media representatives said there is an option of being able to take a sixth vehicle, “but that depends on approval from the ship and the type of DG being carried.”

Hatfield said once the trucks which supply Mid-Island Co-op are loaded, along with the Superior Propane vehicle, that leaves one spot every week, “you have one that we all fight over. It doesn’t work.”

One solution to the issue would be for there to be another round trip Dangerous Goods sailings in the schedule.

The suggestion is for BCF to use the same times on Fridays as the Wednesday DG sailings. The 10:30am leaving Nanaimo, and the 5:40pm sailing leaving Gabriola.

Steve Earle, co-Chair of the Gabriola Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) said there is an FAC meeting coming, but the FAC does not want the DG issue to wait for that meeting.

The FAC is going to be asking for a second DG sailing. So far, Earle said, there has been no response from BC Ferries.

Hatfield said she has been going through the traffic data on the Gabriola route – and the data supports those sailings on Fridays.

As to what this meant for her docks ahead of the May Long weekend, Hatfield said, “we’re screwed. I’m portioning out to everyone.”

Sean Evans is the owner of Gulf Island Seaplanes, which has fuel on the docks for their own use, and had been planning to sell to boaters.

Evans said he can count on one hand how many shipments were missed between 2010 and 2023.

The May 22 shipment will be the third shipment he has missed in 2024.

He said when people come to the island on their boats, the get off the boats, and tour the island.

One reason boaters come to the docks on Gabriola is for the fuel.

He said word will get out if he and Page’s are not trustworthy places to stop for fuel.

Evans said, “the boater world is small, but well connected, they’ll say what are we coming to Gabriola for if we can’t get fuel.”

It also impacts the seaplane going into the long weekend. “We have no fuel [on Gabriola].

“We do have fuel in Vancouver at two spots, but you are paying a lot more money because it’s third party.

“So – it absolutely effects us. It makes things difficult and costly. The thing is, there’s so much inconsistency.”

The issue is one that has come more often since BC Ferries moved to the Island Class vessels.

According to Earle, the Quinsam could take one more DG vehicle than the Island Class.

Reet Sidhu,Senior Communications Advisor with BC Ferries responded to the Sounder about the missed DG shipments writing, “for all Dangerous Goods Sailings on our Minor routes, vehicles are prioritized on a first come first served basis. All vehicles are to book the sailings at least 24 hours in advance, the earlier they book the better chances they have.

“The sailing that Page’s Marina was attempting to book is fully booked, and there is no additional space available at this time.”

He said there were six vehicles already booked for the May 15 sailing, “and unfortunately, we had to decline bookings from two companies due to space limitations.

“If there was a potential of a fuel or other DG shortage on the Island, BC Ferries would arrange an alternative DG sailing. We would recommend the Marina to book for the next available sailing time.”

Hatfield responded to this saying, “reservations can be made only a month in advance at which time all of the suppliers run to secure the limited spots – whether they need them or not. 

“And then those who were fortunate to secure a spot can either use it or release it by noon Monday.

“None of this addresses the issue of not enough space and suppliers denied space week after week.”

After the print version of this story had gone to print, BC Ferries communications staff provided additional comment saying, ” We are aware of the need to increase DG services on the Nanaimo to Gabriola sailing. We are currently exploring schedule enhancements as a potential solution to better accommodate the growing demand for transporting dangerous goods (DG).