A passenger fell overboard from the Spirit of British Columbia ferry on September 4th while crossing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen. This incident took place in a narrow channel known as Active Pass. The occurrence was significant as it was the second such incident in two days on the same route.
BC Ferries confirmed that they launched a rescue boat that successfully recovered the individual, who was then transferred to a Canadian Coast Guard vessel. This followed another instance the day before, where a passenger also fell into the water during a 1 p.m. sailing near the Tsawwassen terminal. According to Eric McNeely of the BC Ferry & Marine Workers’ Union, the first incident involved a person attempting to retrieve clothing from the sea.
While one overboard incident is uncommon, having two within such a short period is rare, and investigations into both events are ongoing. The ferry service highlighted the dangers of entering the water, noting it creates life-threatening situations not only for the individual but also for the responding crew members. They cautioned that such actions might lead to severe consequences, including travel restrictions, fines, or legal actions.
McNeely pointed out that these incidents reflect the extensive training ferry workers undergo, emphasizing their responsibilities in maintaining passenger safety during emergencies, which often goes unnoticed by the public.
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