Damaged businesses in Horseshoe Bay are struggling to stay afloat following the pre-Canada Day ferry crash.

The Queen of Oak Bay ferry is making a speedy return to service after it ran aground - because of mechanical problems with its reverse-thrust propellers - and smashed into boats in Sewell's Marina.

But business operators in the popular West Vancouver harbour say they face a much slower recovery.

In addition to fixing wrecked boats, operators are trying to repair people's perceptions that businesses are closed.

Bayne Stanley, Business Edge
Marina operator Dan Sewell says there were only a dozen boats in the water instead of 45 the long weekend after the ferry crash.

Mike Bromley, owner of Orca Wind Sail Charters, says his boat's damage will create a yet-to-be-felt ripple effect.

"The amount of (lost customers) is between 30 and 50," says Bromley. "But they tell two friends and they tell two friends and they all show the pictures (from their trips). We've lost revenue (that could have been made) years from now."

Bromley's 38-foot sloop Breeze Teaser was crushed beneath the ferry's port bow.

He says his boat was fully booked into early September for $600-day trips and overnight trips at $175 per person, based on a maximum of four.

In past summers, when demand was high, Bromley was able to enlist a friend's boat, also a 38-footer, for "overflow" groups on day trips only. But it won't be available for several weeks.

When he isn't at the helm of his part-time business," Bromley, 41, works full-time as a grain handler on the Vancouver docks. Since 1998, he has been operating his sideline boating business while working full-time rotating two-week shifts at the grain terminal.

However, he had hoped to retire from the grain terminal in about three years under his "Freedom 45" plan and work solely on his charter business.

The ferry crash may have thrown a wrench into that dream.

"Everything is kind of turned around - I don't know what to do anymore," says Bromley. "I'm just dealing with BC Ferries, my insurance (company) and so on and seeing what can go on. I just had a meeting with BC Ferries about recovery costs of my business. That's looking quite positive, but I've also lost customers for the year, too."

David Hahn, president and CEO of BC Ferry Services Inc., which operates the Queen of Oak Bay, has indicated the provincially owned company will compensate businesses affected by the crash. But he has not elaborated on the form, or method, of compensation.

"They're dealing with us fairly," says Bromley. "It's just: Is their fair my fair? So that's another issue in its own right. You don't want to get lawyers involved, but, if need be, they'll be there."

Breeze Teaser's superstructure, rigging and mast were destroyed while the newly painted hull had numerous scratches and chain plates were ripped apart. When interviewed, he was still uncertain whether the boat could be salvaged.

More than two dozen vessels were hit as the ferry's captain tried to avoid hitting the nearby BC Ferries terminal and plowed into Sewell's Marina. Boat owners' insurance policies are also expected to cover damage costs.

Bromley declined to disclose the estimated value - or original purchase price - of his boat. However, he says he has invested $25,000 per year in it since he purchased it in 1998, after raising a considerable sum.

Dan Sewell, owner of Sewell's Marina, says his business is in "triage" mode after the ferry damaged 57 of 400 berths along with 150 metres of floating docks and metal pilings.

Fortunately for Sewell, the ferry did not strike other parts of his business, which include boat moorage, a fuel dock, self-drive boat rentals, eco-tours, salmon-fishing charters and a boat launch, or his personal boat.

But the wayward behemoth ferry still dented revenues.

"Of course, our phones were jammed up with everybody calling," says Sewell, who was living out of his boat in the days after the crash. "Customers couldn't get through and most people assumed that we were closed and out of business."

He estimates revenues are down 75 to 80 per cent, although all facets of the business have remained operational.

"We've never had a July 1st weekend where we did such a small amount of business," says Sewell.

"We had staff sitting around. Normally, we'd have a one-hour (or) two-hour waiting list for boats, and at one point there couldn't have been 12 boats in the water. We should have had 45 boats there."

On the days following the long weekend, Sewell's shop was still quiet, aside from a couple of groups that rented boats.

"A lot of people still feel that we're closed down," says Sewell, sitting on a sofa bench in his store area.

"The pictures (which appeared in newspapers and on TV) were very dramatic and, unless you knew the operation, you wouldn't be able to tell that the ferry had stopped literally six inches short of what we call our Adventure Centre activities."

But Sewell sidestepped the question of whether he feels entitled to compensation from BC Ferries for damage to his business, adding he'll discuss the compensation question "at the appropriate time" with BC Ferries officials.

"So far, BC Ferries is being a good neighbour," says Sewell. "They've been saying the right things, they've been taking the high road and we trust that that will continue."

According to area operators only one other business - Blue Adventure Scuba Diving Charters - has been forced to shut down.

Business Edge could not reach Blue Adventure owners Kevin and Jan Breckman for comment.

Ari Azoula, owner of Blue Zone Diving, whose boat was spared because it was moored on the other side of the marina, thinks crowds will quickly return to Horseshoe Bay.

Contrary to Sewell, he attributes the slow activity to bad weather, rather than public perception problems.

"If this weekend is warm and sunny, then I think Horseshoe Bay will be packed with people - for sure," says Azoula.

(Monte Stewart can be reached at monte@businessedge.ca)