A ferry sailing was delayed in Horseshoe Bay this morning after anti-maskers caused a disturbance on board one of the vessels.

Deborah Marshall, BC Ferries spokesperson, said police are dealing with the situation, which she said involved anti-mask protesters.

鈥淭here were on the vessel, they were causing a disturbance,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my understanding there鈥檚 a protest in Vancouver today and so we鈥檙e assuming that they were en route to that protest.鈥�

An event called the B.C. Freedom Mega Rally is being promoted outside the Vancouver Art Gallery today, Oct. 17, starting at noon.

The protesters travelled from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay on the Queen of Oak Bay and the incident in West Vancouver delayed boarding of the Queen of Oak Bay for the return trip.

Peter Mieras of the Alberni Valley was at the front of the ferry lineup in Horseshoe Bay waiting to board and said he saw four police vehicles and officers including police dog handlers. He didn鈥檛 personally witness the incident but said he overheard a ferry worker saying there were 15 people involved in a disturbance and a brawl and that they were going to be be banned from ferry travel.

BC Ferries has a . Marshall said today鈥檚 incident was one of the first of its kind BC Ferries has seen.

鈥淲e won鈥檛 tolerate this kind of stuff,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l ban people from travelling and we鈥檙e giving the information to the police.鈥�

The ferry departed about 45 minutes behind schedule.

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