B.C. ferry sailing delayed after six guests fell ill onboard; two taken to hospital​on March 24, 2025 at 12:07 am

VICTORIA — A B.C. Ferries vessel sailing from Vancouver Island to Metro Vancouver had to be delayed close to an hour this weekend after six passengers became ill onboard and two had to be taken to hospital.

A spokeswoman from B.C. Ferries says the incident happened on sailing on Saturday from Swartz Bay north of Victoria set to depart for Tsawwassen in Metro Vancouver at 1 p.m.

B.C. Ferries says the six passengers became ill in a stairwell and required medical attention, with police and paramedics both attending.

Four of the passengers were able to stay onboard and received care there, while two were taken to hospital.

Neither B.C. Ferries nor B.C. Emergency Health Services have disclosed the details or cause of the passengers’ condition, with a statement from the health authority only confirming that three ambulances were sent to the Swartz Bay ferry terminal at around 12:10 p.m. Saturday.

B.C. Emergency Health Services also confirms two passengers were taken to hospital, although no details have been released about their conditions after receiving care.

A message on social media from B.C. Ferries says the medical emergency resulted in a 55-minute delay before the sailing got underway.