㽶Ƶֱ

Skip to content

Global mariner shortage hampers BC Ferries㽶Ƶֱ bid to hire more than 100

Corporation cancelled two sailings, replaced another this week amid staffing concerns
26068180_web1_210722-vne-photo-archive-swartz_2
BC Ferries㽶Ƶֱ Swartz Bay terminal north of Victoria. (Black Press Media file photo)

BC Ferries is actively seeking more than 100 new staff while suffering the impacts of a global shortage of experienced mariners.

㽶ƵֱWe are actively recruiting for approximately 60 officer and 50 other key positions to create even greater redundancy in the system. Unfortunately, the global shortage means qualified mariners are very difficult to find,㽶Ƶֱ said Mark Collins, president and CEO.

RELATED:

The corporation cancelled two evening trips between Victoria and Vancouver on Aug. 4 as three ships officers were off sick. BC Ferries moves crew to different locations as required. In this case, the three remaining officers were at the same location, making it challenging to find enough replacements on short notice, Collins explained in a statement.

On Friday, a round-trip sailing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen on the same ferry was also cancelled because of staffing. In that case, the Coastal Celebration replaced the Queen of New Westminster.

㽶ƵֱOur safety is important to us, and we require a specific number of crew members on board the vessel to ensure the safety of our passengers in the unlikely event of an emergency and to comply with Transport Canada regulations,㽶Ƶֱ BC Ferries said in a statement at the time.

READ ALSO:

READ ALSO:

For more news delivered daily into your inbox, please click .

c.vanreeuwyk@blackpress.ca


Do you have a story tip? Email: vnc.editorial@blackpress.ca.

Follow us on and and like us on



About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

Longtime journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
Read more



(or

㽶Ƶֱ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }