Building from the ground up: Darcy Morgan’s Hullo story

Being born and raised in rural Nanaimo,  I started in my dad’s footsteps as volunteer firefighter in 1997 and later got all my structural firefighting, hazmat and first aid certifications.  The marine industry was never a thought for me until  I applied to BC Ferries in 2010. I worked as a terminal attendant, equipment operator, OFA and terminal supervior.

In 2015, I got a union scholarship for the Bridgewatch Rating Program, did a summer term on the Coastal Renaissance and then moved into a watch position on route two, the Queen of Cowichan. I stayed there until June 2023, when I left for Hullo.

Hullo offered something new and fresh. It felt like a chance to help build something from the ground up and create a service that’s vital for the mid -island. The idea really hooked me, and does to this day.

I really enjoy my job and work with a very diverse group. Some folks have 25 years in the industry and some have 25 minutes. I get to share what I know and watch new people grow, while also learning from everyone I come into contact with.

Most people don’t realize how long our days can be. Our average shift is about 13 hours. If you take the 7 am sailing to Vancouver and come home at 5:30 pm, it’s the same crew bringing you back. We work fewer days a week, but the days themselves are quite long.

My job is also different from the big ferries most people know. Conventional ferries run around 12 to 20 knots. Our service speed is closer to 34. Things come at you fast. You’re close to the water and you’re moving quickly, so the focus and intensity are really high.

Our deckhands do everything. They moor the ship, deal with emergencies, serve coffees, help people who feel sick, handle medical calls and deal with security issues. They’re incredibly well rounded. People don’t always see or appreciate how many different hats they must wear in a day.

Working for a small, start-up company can have its challenges.  With collaborative approaches between workers and management, creative solutions can be found.  Most challenges are firsts. People really tend to step up, and make sure to keep things moving, finding creative ways to mitigate sick calls and keep boats running as to not interrupt a passenger’s day.

Our biggest challenge right now is scheduling. We run a lot of late-night event sailings for concerts and hockey games which creates a unique challenge of moving crew and sailings around to meet the demand. Being that a lot of events are scheduled on the go, scheduling for the future can prove difficult.

For the customers who rely on us, keeping communication open is key. Weather, technical issues, staffing, whatever it is, people just want updates. We’re already doing a great job in that area but it can always get better.

I never thought I’d end up in the marine industry, but once I started, it just felt right. Hullo’s given me a chance to grow, to lead and to help build something that matters to the community. I’m proud to be part of it. And I’m still a volunteer firefighter: now I’m the assistant fire chief at East Wellington Fire Department on Jinglepot Road.

Darcy Morgan, Chief Officer (Mate) Hullo Ferries