The cancellation of B.C. Ferries sailings to and from Bowen Island over the May long weekend is emblematic of larger issues, locals say, with some residents now planning to abandon the island community altogether due to unreliable service to the mainland.

On Saturday, the ferry operator cancelled a dozen sailings between Bowen Island and Horseshoe Bay in West Vancouver between 3:30 p.m. and midnight after saying it was unable to secure enough crew to staff the route.

The company apologized and hi…