Entries by Rachel Garrick

Holding it together when things fall apart

I started working for BC Ferries through my previous job. I was working in the marine industry and BC Ferries was one of our customers. I’d been to the Fleet Maintenance Unit (FMU) site several times. When I learned that  my company was closing its doors at their Vancouver office, I had to figure out […]

Thank you for showing up

This past long weekend put significant pressure on our ferry system. Delays, cancellations and long waits affected thousands of people travelling across the coast. It was frustrating for passengers and difficult for the communities that rely on these routes. Behind all of that were crews doing everything they could to keep service moving. This weekend […]

“The ships are old” isn’t accountability.

BC Ferries’ CEO spent this week apologizing for the Easter long-weekend breakdowns by pointing to one thing: the ships are old. True. But aging vessels aren’t a surprise; they didn’t age overnight. Keeping the system running reliably despite an aging fleet is his job. He also explained that a proposed fifth vessel wasn’t approved by […]

Members step in, just in time

On March 30, crew aboard the Kahloke responded to a distressed pleasure craft with three people on board that was drifting toward running aground. On-board crew acted swiftly by launching the rescue boat and reached the vessel just in time. The team successfully towed the craft to the nearest safe marina, preventing what could have […]

Spring break breakdowns and bigger questions at BC Ferries

E. coli on two vessels. Lead concerns on another vessel. Mechanical breakdowns during spring break and the Easter long weekend. During spring break, BC Ferries confirmed E. coli and coliform in potable water on the Queen of Alberni and Salish Orca. Then, it issued a notice about lead in drinking water on the Salish Raven. […]

Celebrating Sikh Heritage month across the fleet

April is Sikh Heritage Month, a time to recognize the history, culture and contributions of Sikh communities across British Columbia and Canada. Sikh members are part of our crews across vessels, terminals and trades, helping keep people moving safely every day. This month is also a chance to reflect on the importance of inclusion at […]

Long weekend, full load, we’ve got it ⚓🐣

The union hall will be closed over the Easter long weekend. We know many of you are coming off a busy spring break and heading straight into one of the busiest travel weekends of the year. The pace doesn’t let up, and neither does the responsibility you carry. You’re feeding hungry families, getting people where […]

As Eby looks east, ‘Look West’ ignores ferries

Premier David Eby is heading to China to promote British Columbia as a stable place to do business. But here at home, there’s still no clear plan to build ferries. The timing matters. BC Ferries’ fleet renewal timeline shows new vessels entering service starting in 2027, with more major ships coming through the end of […]

Remembering the Queen of the North

This week marks the anniversary of one of the darkest nights in B.C.’s coastal transportation history. On March 22, 2006, the Queen of the North struck Gil Island in Wright Sound and sank in the early hours of the morning. Of the 101 passengers and crew on board, 99 survived. Two passengers, Gerald Foisy and […]