An incident occurred on Wednesday where a passenger fell overboard from a B.C. Ferries vessel traveling from Metro Vancouver to Vancouver Island. The incident took place during the 1 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, shortly after departure from the terminal. Another ferry, the Queen of New Westminster, assisted in the rescue operation.
The individual who fell overboard was eventually rescued by the crew and was reported to be in stable condition. The reason for the incident was not disclosed, but the person was taken to the hospital by paramedics. Witnessing the rescue, passenger Jared Fitschen estimated that it took approximately 20 to 30 minutes for the person to be retrieved.
Fitschen described the unexpected event, stating that initially, passengers thought it was a drill until they heard the announcement of a man overboard. He commended the quick response of the crew in handling the situation, noting that it was the first time he had witnessed a rescue on a B.C. Ferries vessel despite being a regular passenger for many years.
Following the incident, the ferry service acknowledged the potential distress caused to passengers and expressed gratitude for their patience. The delay in the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay route was estimated to be around an hour due to the rescue operation. The crew and rescuers were praised for their efficient and well-handled response to the emergency.