BC Ferries cancels many Christmas Day sailings, says others 'at risk'

The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.

The stormy weather in the forecast for B.C.'s South Coast is already disrupting many Christmas Day travel plans.

BC Ferries has cancelled more a number of scheduled sailings for Dec. 25, including half of the trips between Tsawwassen and Victoria's Swartz Bay, citing anticipated "high winds and waves in the Strait of Georgia."

Others have been cancelled between Horseshoe Bay and Nanaimo's Departure Bay, and between Comox and Powell River – and the company has warned additional trips are "at risk" as of Tuesday afternoon, including every sailing between Tsawwassen and Nanaimo's Duke Point.

"The safety of our passengers and crew is a top priority – we obviously don't want to sail if it's unsafe to do so," said Sonia Lowe, spokesperson for BC Ferries.

The company was in contact with Environment and Climate Change Canada throughout the day while deciding which sailings to cancel, Lowe told CTV News.

"We obviously don’t want to cancel any sailings if we don't need to," she said.

BC Ferries urged would-be holiday travellers to check the latest service notices before heading to the terminals on Wednesday.