Passenger Overboard Incident on B.C. Ferries Route from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen
An incident of a passenger going overboard occurred on a B.C. Ferries voyage from Swartz Bay to Tsawwassen, marking the second such occurrence in the same week. The incident took place during the 5 p.m. PT sailing between Victoria and Vancouver on the Spirit of British Columbia, just east of Active Pass, a channel between Mayne and Galiano islands. A rescue boat was promptly dispatched, locating the individual who was then transferred to a Canadian Coast Guard vessel, as confirmed by a B.C. Ferries spokesperson.
Following this incident, a similar occurrence was reported on the previous day’s 1 p.m. PT sailing in the opposite direction, near the Tsawwassen terminal. Sonia Lowe, a spokesperson for B.C. Ferries, expressed that having two incidents of this nature in such a short period is uncommon. Both incidents are currently being investigated by B.C. Ferries.
According to Eric McNeely, the provincial president of the B.C. Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union, the first incident involved a passenger entering the water to retrieve a lost item of clothing. McNeely expressed hope that these overboard events were accidental rather than intentional. The ferry service emphasized the extreme danger of purposeful overboard incidents, highlighting the risks it poses to individuals and crew members alike.
McNeely further acknowledged the importance of ferry workers’ training in ensuring passenger safety on the water, emphasizing the often overlooked aspects of their job. B.C. Ferries underlined the potential consequences, including travel restrictions, fines, or legal actions, for individuals engaging in such perilous actions.