For Immediate Release
April 10, 2025

BC Ferries recognized as ‘vital guardian of the waters’ by Life Saving Society

VICTORIA, BC – BC Ferries has been honoured by the Life Saving Society of BC & Yukon for its sustained commitment to water safety, citing a recent rescue near Tsawwassen Terminal as one of many life-saving interventions carried out annually by the company’s staff and crew.

The 113th Annual Commonwealth Awards for Honour and Rescue recognized the dedicated efforts of volunteers and celebrated the heroic acts of those who put their lives on the line during water rescues. BC Ferries was presented with the Water Safety Excellence Award for maintaining high standards of safety on the water.

“BC Ferries is a vital guardian of the waters,” reads the award citation. “Their rigorous training and commitment to safety prioritizes the well-being of the more than 22 million passengers it transfers annually across its fleet.”

The Life Saving Society highlighted a January 8, 2025 incident in which crew aboard a morning sailing arriving in Tsawwassen from Duke Point responded to a report of a missing passenger who had possibly gone overboard. BC Ferries teams responded swiftly, locating the individual in the water and bringing them to shore for medical care.

“This rescue is just one example of the numerous life-saving interventions that BC Ferries staff perform each year, often without the recognition they deserve,” the award citation said.

In 2024 alone, BC Ferries was involved in 15 marine rescue incidents.

On December 14, 2024, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre requested BC Ferries assist in rescuing a boater in a capsized aluminum skiff from the water near Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal. Without hesitation, terminal maintenance staff jumped into action, deploying a work boat to reach the distressed boater, pulling them from the chilly water and bringing them ashore to safety. Less than a week later, the crew from the Quinsam responded to a request from the Coast Guard to assist a boater who had set off flares and was being blown out to sea near Salt Spring Island. Two crew members launched a rescue boat, successfully towing the sailboat to safety.

“Safety is our top priority, and our crews and terminal staff undergo extensive marine safety and emergency response training to ensure they are able to respond quickly and efficiently to incidents such as these,” said Melanie Lucia, Vice President of Customer Experience. “We are incredibly proud of the professional and selfless actions of our teams and the critical role BC Ferries plays in supporting and safeguarding coastal communities and our customers.”

Tsawwassen Terminal Manager Kara Berriault accepted the award on behalf of BC Ferries at a March 29 ceremony. The water rescue awards were presented by BC Premier David Eby and The Honourable Adeline Webber, Commissioner of Yukon, who also spoke about the importance of water safety and drowning prevention.