Pilotage Act, regulations and indemnification

After significant discussion and legal review, we have signed an agreement with BC Ferries to ensure you are protected when directed to sail through a compulsory pilotage area without a pilot or waiver.

This agreement also protects the crew and provides reasonable legal fee coverage triggered if an employee is charged.

Currently, BC Ferries is directing crew to sail vessels based on its legal interpretation of the Pilotage Act; following that direction is the proper performance of the crew’s duties

If the Pacific Pilotage Authority (PPA) or Transport Canada later decides that BC Ferries vessels are not government vessels, or are not ferries when repositioning, we will revisit the issue.

Read the memorandum here.

In solidarity,

Eric McNeely
BCFMWU Provincial President

Capt. Chris Klassen
Ships Officers’ Component President