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 on a ferry vessel led to cancellations, delays and temporary suspensions of operations on major routes.

Ferry services connecting Horseshoe Bay to destinations such as Langdale (Sunshine Coast), Bowen Island (Snug Cove) and Nanaimo (Departure Bay) began Sunday afternoon when a ship, Queen of SurreyHe was kept at the dock due to police intervention in a situation on the ship. The BC Ferries website noted that the ship remained in place while authorities responded to the incident, which was described at the police station as an 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 were unable to load and leave the terminal. Other ferries already departing were kept outside the terminal to prevent docking until the scene was secured.

Passengers on affected sailings reported that some ships paused at sea and waited for long periods while crews and emergency responders managed the situation.

During the outage, BC Ferries temporarily suspended loading and unloading operations at Horseshoe Bay to ensure public safety and facilitate police efforts.

Solution and restoration of services

A few hours later, the West Vancouver Police Department (WVPD) announced that the police incident was resolved in the early evening, around 6pm local time, and the ferry service was allowed to resume normal operations. Police and partner agencies thanked the public for their patience and cooperation.
BC Ferries did not specify the exact nature of the incident or the condition of the individual involved, but emphasized there is no ongoing threat to public safety after police completed their response.
Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal is a major transportation hub in British Columbia operated by BC Ferries. It serves as a central hub connecting the Lower Mainland to Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Bowen Island and carries millions of passengers each year. With three berths and comprehensive services, it is one of the system’s busiest terminals and a critical part of the coastal shipping infrastructure.