Two hospitalized, multiple passengers sick on BC Ferries vessel Saturday

BC Ferries vessel Spirit of Vancouver Island passes between Galiano Island and Mayne Island while traveling from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, B.C., on Friday August 26, 2011. (Darryl Dyck/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Two people were hospitalized after a group of people became ill while aboard a BC Ferries vessel Saturday afternoon, delaying its journey from Victoria to Vancouver.

BC Ferries issued a notice Saturday advising the public its 5 p.m. sailing from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen departed 67 minutes behind schedule due to a “medical emergency,” and the 7 p.m. departing Tsawwassen, and the 9 p.m. departing Swartz Bay would also be delayed as a result.

According to a BC Ferries spokesperson, six passengers became ill in a stairwell on the ferry and required medical attention.

“Two individuals were transported to hospital, and the others received care onboard,” they said.

The spokesperson didn’t disclose the cause of the sickness, only that paramedics and the RCMP responded and assisted.

In the notice issued Saturday afternoon, BC Ferries advised anyone with a reservation to arrive during the check-in window noted in the booking confirmation email to maintain their reserved status.

“This ensures we can stage your vehicle at the terminal ahead of standby customers and those reserved on later sailings,” it said.

BC Emergency Health Services have been contacted for comment.