V2V ferry postpones inaugural run for more sea trials, training
V2V Vacations has delayed its inaugural passenger ferry trip between Victoria’s Inner Harbour and Coal Harbour in Vancouver.
The company, which planned to launch scheduled service between the two ports on Monday, has announced it will delay its launch until mid-May in order to fully train its staff.
“We are incredibly excited to launch our service, but will be delayed in our planned launch date in order to provide further training for our on-board team,” said Nick Cheong, vice-president of operations for V2V.
“Safety is always our paramount priority, and we will never compromise on that, even if it means pushing our launch date.”
In an interview, Cheong said the company “wants to start this on the right foot from Day 1. If that means taking more time to do it, that is what we will do.”
Since it announced it would run passenger service on the route, V2V has hired about 16 staff for its vessel, The Empress.
“We just want to make sure everyone is capable and qualified and has had adequate training to provide not only a high quality of service, but also a safe one,” Cheong said. The delay will give staff more time on the vessel and give the company more opportunities to put the vessel through its paces around Victoria and along the route to Vancouver.
The company said all reservation holders have been contacted to revise bookings, offer alternative arrangements or refund payments.
Cheong would not say how many reservations were affected, but he did say a good number of the early bookings were complimentary for friends and family.
Sea trials for V2V’s Empress started April 20 with maneuvers in the Inner Harbour and along the coastline off Dallas Road. The 254-passenger vessel also ran trials along its route between Victoria and Vancouver.
V2V’s Victoria departures will be from beside the Steamship Terminal Building at 2 p.m. and Vancouver departures will be from the Vancouver Convention Centre docks leaving at 8 a.m. The trip is estimated to take 3.5 hours.
The Empress vessel features leather seating, flip-out or built-in tables, power outlets at each seat and on-board Wi-Fi. During the voyage, guests may order beer, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. The V2V Empress will also carry food items developed by Truffles Catering.
The V2V might be the first, but it won’t be the only downtown-to-downtown Victoria-Vancouver passenger ferry service on offer as of next spring. Clipper Navigation intends to launch its own service on the route in 2018.
Passenger service between the two harbours hasn’t been tried since the Royal Sealink Express shut down in 1993 after losing millions of dollars due to low ridership after just 19 months.
V2V is still going ahead with plans to christen The Empress this Saturday at 1 p.m. near the Steamship Terminal Building, after which there will be chances for the public to tour the vessel.