Miscommunication led to BC ferry crash; BC Ferries also drops fuel surcharge

VICTORIA – A new report says engine trouble and a misunderstanding between the bridge and engine room caused a BC Ferry to ram the dock at the Departure Bay ferry terminal in Nanaimo, B.C., a year ago.

The Transportation Safety Board says the Queen of Coquitlam had to shut down one of its engines because of mechanical trouble during a trip from Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo last November, and the repairs required the bow propeller to be locked out.

The board says a misunderstanding between the engine room and the bridge over what engines and propellers the captain could use to slow down the ferry led to the crash, which caused enough damage to force the closure of the terminal for several months.

The report says BC Ferries has brought in new procedures for reducing speed while docking and has developed other plans to reduce the potential of similar accidents.

Meanwhile, the ferry corporation has announced it’s eliminating fuel surcharges on all it routes effective Nov. 30, including a two per cent surcharge on the major routes between the mainland and Vancouver Island, as well as the route to the Sunshine Coast.

Ferries’ President Mike Corrigan says the falling cost of fuel is allowing the company to cancel the extra charges.