Collision with log sends new Columbia ferry to dock for repairs

The new Columbia ferry that shuttles vehicles between Shelter Bay and Galena Bay on the Arrow Lakes is heading to dock for repairs after it struck a submerged log on April 19.

The collision damaged a control rod, making steering the ferry more difficult. The damage caused the ferry it to operate at a reduced capacity until April 22 when it was pulled from service by inspectors.

Ferry operator Waterbridge Marine scrambled to get the old Shelter Bay ferry back in operation, and it’s now serving the crossing.

Waterbridge Marine operations manager Dave Holm said the log hit the propeller, damaging the steering mechanism. They hoped to make repairs in the field, but have now determined it needs to return to the dock for more comprehensive repair work.

He said the collision was unfortunate: “They didn’t even see [the log]; it had to be a pretty substantial one.”

Holm said he felt the issue was one of luck, and said he wasn’t concerned about any design issue that would put a new ferry out of commission less than a year after its maiden voyage in June, 2014.

“It’s like losing a lottery draw,” Holm said. “It happens; it’s like anything else.”

It’s unclear when the new ferry will be repaired. However, inspectors are aboard the old Galena Bay ferry and hope to get it in service by April 25 in order to restore full scheduled service using the two retired ferries.