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B.C. Ferries Jumper May Be On the Hook for $40,000

November 10th, 2015  |  News

B.C. Ferries are trying to recoup some of their losses after a man jumped over the side during a Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay sailing last Wednesday.

Passengers of the Coastal Celebration vessel watched in shock as the man let loose a 100 person lifeboat, sending it careening down into the water and damaging it.

He followed the lifeboat into the water, diving over the side near Galianos Island and swam to shore. The normally non-stop trip came to a halt, leaving passengers waiting while the incident was sorted out.

The publicly-owned company is looking for potential compensation from the man in the amount of $40,000, pointing to damages sustained to the original lifeboat, the cost of a replacement lifeboat, plus overtime pay for the crew and extra gas.

"BC Ferries knows that fare affordability is a concern of its customers and is looking at avenues to recover costs from the individual responsible," said spokeswoman Deborah Marshall in an email on Tuesday.

The RCMP eventually locate the individual after searching on nearby Galianos Island for him.

There was no indication how long the ferries were delayed and whether the incident impacted travel plans at all. Officials urge travellers to have trip insurance for unexpected delays and/or cancellations.

Image Courtesy of Adobe Stock