Ferry jump costs $40,000

A man who deployed a 100-person life-raft and jumped off the Coastal Celebration ferry last week cost B.C. Ferries about $40,000, the company said Tuesday.

Deborah Marshall, executive director of public affairs, said the company is looking at ways to recoup its losses.

“B.C. Ferries knows that fare affordability is a concern of its customers and is looking at avenues to recover costs from the individual responsible,” she said in a statement.

Marshall said the total bill includes the cost of repairing the damaged life-raft, outfitting the ferry with a replacement raft, overtime pay for the crews of the Coastal Celebration and the Spirit of British Columbia and extra fuel for both vessels.

“B.C. Ferries is fully co-operating with the RCMP on their investigation into the incident,” she said.

“A number of federal offences occurred in this incident, including tampering with life-saving equipment, and B.C. Ferries is pursuing charges with the RCMP.”

The ferry was passing through Active Pass, on its way from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay, about 9:30 p.m. Nov. 4 when a man in his 20s deployed the inflatable raft and leapt overboard, witnesses and crew members reported.

The man then swam to Galiano Island without appearing to use the raft.

The Coastal Celebration and nearby Spirit of British Columbia both launched boats in support of a search-and-rescue operation.

A Galiano Island resident later reported that a naked, wet and incoherent man had broken into her home and was throwing around furniture.

The man also allegedly entered a cabin at a nearby resort before he was arrested by police and taken to Royal Jubilee Hospital for assessment.

The RCMP said it was preparing information for charges of breaking-and-entering, being unlawfully in a dwelling and mischief under $5,000.