QUEEN OF CUMBERLAND

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Latest news

Sailings cancelled due to stuck vehicle on ramp

The 'Queen of Cumberland' was out of commission for multiple sailings on March 9, 2023, due to a vehicle being stuck on the ramp at Earls Cove north of Sechelt, preventing staff from loading the vessel. The tidal conditions needed to improve before the large vehicle can be removed and service could be resumed. The following sailings were cancelled: - 9:25 a.m. departing Saltery Bay (Powell River); - 10:25 a.m. departing Earls Cove (Sechelt); - 11:20 a.m. departing Saltery Bay (Powell River); - 12:25 p.m. departing Earls Cove (Sechelt). Reports with photos and video: https://globalnews.ca/news/9539835/bc-ferries-truck-stuck-sailings-cancelled-earls-cove/ https://www.coastreporter.net/highlights/blocked-ramp-cancels-sailings-between-saltery-bay-and-earls-cove-6673165

TSB report in boat accident published

Use of an insufficient length of rope on a rescue boat caused it to fall and injure two crew members during a drill on the "Queen of Cumberland" on April 18, 2018, according to a Transportation Safety Board (TSB) investigation. Both crew members were wearing survival suits and helmets when the incident occurred during drills near the Swartz Bay terminal. The davit was being used when the hoist cable broke. The rescue boat dropped 11 metres into the water, injuring both crew members. The lack of length for the rope, known as a painter, exerted a force on both the boat and the hoist cable. A painter is attached to the bow of a boat. “The resulting side load caused the hoist cable to get pinched and break, resulting in the boat falling into the water along with the two crew members,” the TSB said in a statement. A vessel deployed from the shore reached the crew members within a few minutes and they were pulled from the water. Both were taken to hospital for assessment. After the incident, B.C. Ferries ruled that personnel couldn’t be on rescue boats while they’re being raised or lowered, save for emergencies. There has also been updated training on the operations of davits. The TSB determined that although the "Queen of Cumberland"’s rescue-boat davit was upgraded in 2016, corresponding updates to operation and maintenance procedures weren’t made. The TSB said it’s important to manage equipment changes effectively on ships. “Additionally, if changes to operation procedures and training are not made, the crew may not be proficient in the use of the equipment. oth of these factors increase the risk of equipment failure, accidents or injuries.”

Ferry to return to service

Aboard the "Queen of Cumberland" repair work was progressing as planned, and BC Ferries let the customers know that the vessel will return to service on the Swartz Bay-Southern Gulf Islands route on May 18. The vessel was removed from service due to a malfunction with a rescue boat davit which was being replaced and the vessel will be recertified prior to returning to service.