Two BC Ferries crew members were hospitalized on Wednesday 18 of April, after an equipment failure during a safety drill. The crewmembers were conducting the drill onboard the “Queen of Cumberland”, when the davit failed.
The crewmembers were being lowered into the water in a rescue boat, when according to BC Ferries spokesperson Deb Marshall, the davit failed, and the two deckhands fell in the water.
According to sources, the two men were wearing survival suits and protective equipment as per the standard practice. When the two fell into the water, rescue boats were launched, which managed to save them and bring them to safety.
As a result of the accident, BC Ferries decided to cancel several sailings between Tsawwassen and the Gulf Islands, on 19 of April.
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Namely, departures from Long Harbour on Salt Spring Island; Otter Bay on Pender Island; Village Bay on Mayne Island; Sturdies Bay on Galiano Island; and the 9:55 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen were cancelled.
BC Ferries will investigate the incident and the rescue boat will be replaced.
