Dozens breach booze ban on B.C. Ferries sailings

The Dukes of Hazzard came to the B.C. Ferries terminal in Langdale last week when a driver crashed through locked security gates and barriers to the upper loading dock, then launched his Chevy Blazer off the ramp toward the Queen of Surrey.

The good old boy made the ferry — his truck landed vertically on the upper deck, grille smashed into the deck, tail lights in the air.

He was quickly taken into police custody and has been charged with 13 offences, including impaired driving.

With summer upon us, B.C. Ferries is reminding customers of its zero-tolerance policy for passengers under the influence of alcohol or drugs on ferries or at the terminals.

Since May, police have been called to ferry terminals 37 times to deal with a suspected impaired driver or passenger, said B.C. Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall.

Police were called to ferries 127 times for suspected impairment in the period from April 2016 to March 31.

“What we find is when the hot weather arrives, beer often comes out of the trunk of vehicles,” said Marshall. “People are driving and we want to make sure everyone is safe.”

Graeme Johnston, president of the B.C. Ferries and Marine Workers’ Union, said ferry ridership changes in summer. “More delays, hot weather, music festivals seem to bring a more diverse crowd and there are more opportunities for people to feel the urge to consume drugs or alcohol,” Johnston said,

Passenger abuse of ferries staff also increases at this time of year, which is probably directly related to people being intoxicated, he said.

“You see people being less reasonable when they’re impaired. If you cram a little alcohol into an already intense situation, what you often get is a big reaction and our members are on the front line for those. I think it’s great the company is releasing a bulletin reminding everyone that there will be zero tolerance for these behaviours and impairment.”

The union would like to see that zero-tolerance policy strictly enforced and its 4,000 members protected, said Johnston.

“When these incidents happen, they tend to be traumatic. So whatever we can do to prevent the incidents from happening in their grandest forms is really critical in terms of our members’ safety,” he said, adding the travelling public should remember B.C. Ferries employees are doing their job — getting riders from A to B as safely and efficiently as possible.

If employees notice someone drinking or using drugs at a terminal, they can approach customers or call police, Marshall said.

“If someone has just cracked a beer, [the employee] may go up and remind them that we don’t permit drinking on our property. If someone is heavily intoxicated, the employee might not feel comfortable approaching then. They might want to phone police.”