A woman from Gabriola Island, B.C., is furious with BC Ferries after her daughter was stranded in nearby Nanaimo because she was 10 cents short on her fare.

The 20-year-old was trying to make it home a week ago but didn't have quite enough money left on her pre-paid BC Ferries Experience card.

Kathy Ramsey says her daughter had a small amount of cash on her, but BC Ferries requires a minimum of $60 to reload the Experience card, and the attendant wouldn’t make an exception.

"They never asked, you know, ‘Are you going to be okay? Do you have somewhere to stay?’ It's shocking," Ramsey said.

"She couldn't do anything so she was stuck in Nanaimo for 24 hours until the bank opened the next day ... over 10 cents."

Ramsey says the situation was completely unnecessary.

"I had some pretty choice words for the ferry terminal worker, that's for sure, and for BC Ferries."

But BC Ferries spokesperson Deborah Marshall says the rules are the rules.

"It is unfortunate," she said. "I know it was a small amount but we do need to have a policy in place to draw the line somewhere."