From deep sea shipping to Brentwood Bay
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t passionate about the marine industry. It runs in my family. My uncle and my cousin are both captains, and growing up I always thought it was an adventurous profession.
Before coming to Canada in 2013, I spent about 14 years at sea, working on different kinds of vessels. I worked on cargo ships, tankers and other deep sea vessels, then later on tugs and barges in Ontario, Great Lakes ships and even a bunker vessel in Vancouver, delivering fuel to ships at anchor.
When I moved to Canada, I thought I’d be able to continue my career. Instead, I found out I had to start over.
I had earned my qualifications in the U.K., but Transport Canada required me to rewrite all my exams. It was a long process that took more than two years. During that time, I couldn’t work in my profession, so I worked the graveyard shift at a gas station in Kamloops to support my family while I studied.
It was a huge adjustment. I had gone from working as a chief officer on deep sea vessels to starting over from scratch. But I knew it would be worth it.
The Transport Canada exams were challenging. You didn’t just memorize answers. You had to explain everything in depth, and you never knew whether you’d passed until the results arrived. When I finally earned my Master Mariner certificate, it was one of the proudest moments of my career.
I joined BC Ferries in 2021 as a third officer. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to become a second officer, then second relief chief officer, then a chief officer. I also spent two years as a full-time sea trainer in Langdale before accepting the opportunity to become master minor on the Klitsa at Brentwood Bay, where I’ve been for the past two years.
Looking back, it has been an incredible journey.
One thing I wish more people knew is how much happens behind the scenes before every sailing. People see the ferry as a way to get from one place to another, but there is a lot of preparation, coordination and teamwork involved. We complete pre-departure checks, make sure the vessel is ready, work closely with the engineers, communicate with terminal staff and always keep safety as our top priority. Safety is never something we compromise on.
Every crew member has an important role. Professionalism, communication and teamwork are what keep the ferries running safely every day.
One moment that really stands out happened recently after a serious accident closed the Malahat. Our crew had already worked a full 12-hour shift, but because traffic was backed up and ambulances needed to get through, we were asked whether we could operate an extra sailing. I spoke to the crew. Every single person said yes. The deck crew, engineers and terminal staff all came together to help the community. We carried additional passengers and medical traffic after what had already been a long day. I was incredibly proud of everyone.
Every day brings different challenges. We work on the water, so we’re constantly dealing with changing weather, changing conditions and operational demands. As captain, I’m responsible for making important decisions while making sure we operate safely and follow company policies. It’s a job that requires focus from the beginning of the shift to the end.
What helps is knowing we have strong support around us. Training, resources and safety are things BC Ferries takes seriously. I’ve worked for several companies in Canada, and the safety standards here are among the best I’ve seen.
If I could change one thing, it would be to continue strengthening the support for the people who keep the operation running. This is a demanding job. We work long days, deal with changing conditions, provide customer service and carry a great deal of responsibility. It’s important that employees feel valued, supported and recognized for the work they do. Continued investment in training, career development and employee well-being helps us provide the best possible service to passengers.
At the end of the day, we all share the same goal: keeping our communities connected safely.
If sharing my story inspires someone else to work toward their own goals, maybe one day they’ll be at the top of their profession too. That would make me very happy.
Amit Kotwal, Master Minor Brentwood Bay
