Sept 7 - Ferry out of service after spill

Good morning !

Welcome to the weekend and another beautiful day in Victoria. Today we’ve got stories on a ferry leaving for a month, a top Vic restaurant leaving forever, and a rise in tourism this summer.

— Robyn

Today’s approx. read time: 5 minutes

🌡️ Weather Forecast

Today: 🌤️ 28 / 14

Tomorrow: 🌤️ 22 / 13

Monday: ⛅ 19 / 12

7-day forecast

PNEWS

Ferry is out of service all month after dropping propeller & oil into ocean

The 1964-built Queen of New Westminster will now be off of the Swartz Bay - Tsawwassen route for at least the rest of the month. Earlier this week sailings were canceled when it was pulled from service due to mechanical issues. BC Ferries now says that one of the ferry's propellers “sheared off from its propulsion shaft.”

The propeller, which weighs about 4,500kg, has been found but not yet recovered. The month’s sailing schedule has been revised while the vessel is in dry dock being repaired. 

The vessel also spilled 800L of light hydraulic oil. The Coast Guard was notified but, CBC reports, there has been no visible pollution detected on the route and the Coast Guard response has ended. 

Other aging ferries set for refits soon

This summer BC Ferries had largely avoides the system-straining mechanical issues seen last year, when the Coastal Celebration was sidelined during key travel periods. This current break happened just weeks before “fall refit season,” in which 7 more vessels will undergo maintenance and adjustments.

That includes 3 other “Queen” ferries (Alberni, Coquitlam, and Cowichan) that were built pre-1980 and, like the Queen of New West, are slated to be replaced with new vessels beginning in 2029. The New West may struggle to make it that long; the $55M update it completed in 2009 was supposed to extend its life 10-15 years, and its ‘60s-built sister ships are now long gone.

BC Ferries is about to launch a Request for Proposals to find a builder for these new ferries, which will carry 360 vehicles / 2,100 passengers (the Queen line holds slightly over 250 / 1,300). 

To see what it may look like if new vessels aren't ready before old ones are done, we don't have to look far. Washington State Ferries ended the Sidney-Anacortes route largely because of how overburdened its shrinking fleet became.

⚠️ Capital Bulletin

Today is Victoria’s last 25C+ day of the year, weather projections suggest.

Downtown demonstration for Gaza planned, beginning at 2pm. Traffic disruptions and CCTV active 2-4pm.

Wanted man with history of assaults may be in Greater Victoria, police say. 

Paula Abdul cancels Victoria concert: The singer cut her Straight Up! To Canada tour (named for her 1988 hit), beginning here on Sept. 25, after an injury.

Victoria Shamrocks win game 1, 9-8, in national finals opener.

Flush toilets to be mandatory on BC construction sites with 25 workers as of Oct. 1.

Driving today? Check the current traffic situation via Google.

NEWS

Popular Victoria restaurant to close its doors

After 11 years of service, the time has come to say goodbye to Little Jumbo. Citing an unsustainable 40% rent increase and increased operational costs, ownership is pulling the plug on the downtown restaurant with the cute pink elephant logo.

“We've weathered floods, frozen pipes, and a pandemic, but unfortunately, a 40% rent hike and rising costs have made it impossible for us to keep things going,” Little Jumbo wrote in its newsletter with the announcement.

“While we're gutted, we're choosing to go out on a high note—and we want you to be a part of our final chapter.” 

That final chapter will play out at the end of Oct. when the doors close for good. The Little Jumbo team is encouraging patrons to make the most of the remaining weeks to savour their iconic cocktails, enjoy signature dishes, and soak up the cozy, intimate atmosphere one last time.

Head to Tasting Victoria to read more about Little Jumbo’s big exit.

SPONSORED BY PACIFIC OPERA VICTORIA

Opera live at the Royal

Pacific Opera Victoria’s 24/25 Season at the Royal Theatre opens with Mozart’s La clemenza di Tito on October 16! This opera is a powerful exploration of political intrigue and the complexities of mercy and leadership.

In February, audiences of all ages can enjoy the fantastical world of Rachel Portman’s The Little Prince. Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s beloved tale, this opera sparkles with joy, wonder, and humanity.

The season concludes in April with Verdi’s Rigoletto. A tragic tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. With the return of favourites such as mezzo-soprano Marion Newman, host of CBC Radio’s Saturday Afternoon at the Opera, and baritone Justin Welsh; this opera is sure to have sell out performances.

Season subscription packages and single tickets are on sale now!

⭐️ Capital Picks

🦃 17th Annual BC Thanksgiving Food Drive runs today-Sept. 21. [Info]

💗 Honeymooners: See a couple’s 1955 honeymoon trip to Victoria, featuring the Inner Harbour. [Facebook photos]

🖌 New orca artwork on Inner Harbour dock pile, by Songhees artist Melissa McClurg. [GVHA]

🦌 Deer return from a swim on a hot day in Port Alice. [Facbook photo]

🗞️ In Other News

Victoria tourist visit numbers up almost 5% from last year
There was concern legislation limiting the number of short-term rentals (STRs) would lead to fewer tourists but the city hosted a ton of conferences. Destination Greater Victoria—the area’s tourism board—said it’s inflation, import costs, and other factors that have led to higher hotel rates, not the STR laws. The average daily rate (ADR) for hotels in Victoria was $347 in July, compared with $305 in July 2023. [CHEK]

Missing man dead in suspected homicide in Lake Cowichan
Nanaimo's Travis Cragg was reported missing on Tuesday and found dead on Tuesday evening. RCMP said that a suspect “was identified and was met by investigators” and believe there is no risk to the public.

Camosun Lansdowne campus to power library with sunshine
The college has begun installing the 90-panel solar project, powering 50% of the library’s energy. An American research and e-book company funded $131K to kickstart the project. Camosun handled the rest of the costs and expects to complete the installation sometime this fall. [Saanich News]

SPONSORED BY SPROUT FAMILY HEALTH

Say goodbye to rushed appointments— experience preventative, family-focused care

Imagine a new kind of healthcare experience. Warm, welcoming, and designed for families. A person on the other end of the line when you have a question. And a specialized team with big hearts and big brains. Sprout is focused on prevention and longevity instead of just reactive illness care.

In-person, over the phone, or virtual appointments that are easy to book and never rushed. Extras like developmental milestone checks and an annual Dexa body composition scan. It’s wonderful care for families. Get started with Sprout.

🗓️ Things to do

🎵 The Journeymen: See the folk trio perform at the Charlie White Theatre tonight. 7:30pm [Info]

⚽ Pacific FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC: Each club has 20 points after 20 games and they sit tied at the bottom of the table. Starlight Stadium. Tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎉 Sooke Fall Fair: Check out the annual fall fair—this year’s theme is Water is Life. Today 11:30am-6pm; tomorrow 9am-5pm [Info]

🎸 Summer’s Last Stand: Finish off the summer with music from local bands at Victoria Event Centre tonight. 8pm. [Info]

🎹 BackBeat: See Canada’s most authentic 1960s tribute band at Hermann’s tonight. 7pm. [Info]

🎶 Evan Cheadle and Ellen Trottier: See the musician at Paul Phillips Hall today. 5pm. [Info]

🎤 Travis Nelson: See the funny man do his standup, along with other talented comedians at Hecklers tonight. 8pm. [Info]

💚 Club XCX: Cap off brat summer with this evening of DJs spinning Charli XCX’s hits at Capital Ballroom tonight. 9pm. [Info]

🎈 Metchosin Community Day: Pet show, games, and plenty of treats are in store at this community event tomorrow. 11am. [Info]

👀 In Case You Missed It

Friday’s headlines: Canada’s longest-running beer fest is at Topaz Park; Mother and 11-month-old struck in Langford traffic circle; Shamrocks in hunt for Canadian box lacrosse title; And more. [Sept. 6]

Victoria council parks mayor’s shelter idea. [Capital Daily] 

Victoria Climate Action. [Survey]

Cormorants roosting in sandstone bluffs on Gabriola Island. [Facebook photo]

That’s it!

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