BURST
Citing slower than expected traffic volumes, Black Ball Ferry Line is delaying implementation of its full summer sailing schedule.
Rather than ramping up to four sailings of the MV Coho car ferry daily between Victoria and Port Angeles, Washington, by June 12, as the company had hoped, it will now add the extra sailing starting June 26.
Black Ball president Ryan Burles said when they made the decision last fall to implement the fourth sailings in early June — based on a strong spring in 2024 and expectations that this year would be similar — they had no idea there would be tension between the U.S. and Canada this spring.
The impact of President Donald Trump’s tariffs and threats directed at Canada has been felt at border crossings across the country and Burles said Black Ball has seen a 14% drop in traffic this year.
As a result, the June sailing schedule for the Coho will continue with three sailings daily until June 26.
The company has cancelled the 9:30 p.m. sailings from Port Angeles between June 12 and June 25 and cancelled the 6:10 a.m. sailings from Victoria between June 13 and June 26.
Travellers with reservations on those sailings have been notified by phone and email, and will be offered alternative sailings, or a full refund.