R
ate increases for BC Ferries were approved this week, meaning Island residents will be shelling out 12 per cent more at the end of three years, while having fewer sailings to choose from.
The rate hike approved will see fares jumping by 4.1 per cent starting April 1, 2013, with another four per cent hike in April of the following year and a further 3.9 per cent rise one year later.
The price bump will be preceded by cuts to service between Vancouver Island and the Lower Mainland, which will kick in Oct. 13 of this year.
Starting on that date, BC Ferries announced they will cut some Saturday morning and evening sailings between Tsawwassen and Duke Point. Extra sailings on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay are facing the axe.
• Speaking of BC Ferries, the corporation this week urged holiday weekend travellers to be aware that the 3:10 sailings from both Departure Bay and Horseshoe Bay on Thursday are expected to be particularly busy, as will the 3:10 p.m. from Horseshoe Bay and the 2:10 p.m. sailing from Departure Bay on Friday.
For the return journey, BC Ferries expects all the sailings from 10:40 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. from Departure Bay are expected to be busy, as will the 10:30 a.m. boat from Departure Bay on Tuesday morning.
• The Independent Marine Supply Store in Coombs saw fishermen and other nautical types gather in their outdoor courtyard on Wednesday to enjoy a free smoky and coffee as the store held a customer appreciation day.
Co-owner Cynthia Brown said she made a point of serving all local products, with the coffee coming from Karma Coffee across the street and the smokies purchased from Hilliers Sausage.
Not only fishermen who have had their boats either widened or lengthened showed up, she said. Representatives from many local marine-oriented companies also dropped by throughout the day.
• The boating season may be drawing to a close, but that doesn’t mean an end to activities with the Schooner Cove Yacht Club.
Commodore Ron Davis reports club members will gather at the Rockinghorse Pub on Oct. 20 for their annual Oktober Fest. Following this, on Nov. 20, they’ll hold their annual general meeting at the Fairwinds Golf Club.
• The Deep Bay Yacht Club played host to visiting Swedish yachters Gunilla and Jan Nogeus, who arrived in their 36-foot sailboat, Liva.
Club members hosted a special barbecue and potluck supper on the wharf, where club member Derrick Ward presented them with the club’s blue and gold burgee, making them honourary members of the club.