Queen-Of-Oak-Bay

A mechanical problem with the clutch system of the 'Queen of Oak Bay' led to the cancellation of several scheduled trips between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay on Feb 9, 2026. The 6:15 a.m., 11:05 a.m. and 4 p.m. sailings from Horseshoe Bay and the 8:40 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and 6:20 p.m. sailings from Nanaimo’s Departure Bay were cancelled. The 8:25 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay to Langdale on the Sunshine Coast, and the 9:35 p.m. from Langdale to Horseshoe Bay were at risk of cancellation but were returned to the schedule, thanks to the use of the route’s alternate vessel. A technician was sent aboard the affected ferry investigating the issue. A second vessel on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route was on schedule. The Duke Point-Tsawwassen route was an alternative for travellers.

The 'Queen of Oak Bay' suffered a mechanical issue impacting the service on the Departure Bay-Horseshoe Bay route on March 31, 2025. At least two sailings have been cancelled after the ferry broke down outside Nanaimo's Departure on the morning due to a mechanical difficulty with the vessel's steering system. Affected were the departure at 8:25 a.m. from Departure Bay and the scheduled 10:40 am. sailing from Horseshoe Bay. TAfter repairs the sailings were expected to resume as scheduled at 1 p.m.

The 'Queen of Oak Bay' altered course to help as RCM-SAR helped inexperienced sailors and provided a windbreak during a rescue operation in choppy seas outside Nanaimo on Aug 7, 2021. Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue personnel from Nanaimo was paged at about 8:40 p.m. The ferry was nearby and was asked to try to locate the sailboat in distress. The spotted it and lit it up with their spotlight. The SAR boat pulled up alongside the sailboat and tried to provide guidance, but the two sailors aboard lacked experience. They were very afraid and wondering if they were going to survive the night. The rescuers helped the sailboat to the protected side of the ferr and attached a tow line in six-foot seas. The 'Queen of Oak Bay’s arrival in Departure Bay was delayed about an hour. The sailboat was towed to Saysutshun’s Mark Bay.

On June 28, 2020, at 4 p.m. the 'Queen of Oak Bay' responded to a mayday call in Strait of Georgia after a small boat began taking on water east of Nanaimo. The Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre in Victoria deployed several coast guard vessels and the ferries 'Queen of Oak Bay' and 'Queen of Cowichan'. Three people were taken off the stricken boat, and no one was hurt. The ship was more than two hours behind schedule due to the rescue, as well as heavy traffic and a broken down vehicle.