Crofton-bound ferry passengers got front-row seats to a surprise marine rescue last week, as crew members from MV Quinsam diverted to assist a small vessel in distress.
A small dinghy had been fighting a losing battle with nearly 10-knot winds late Thursday evening, Dec. 19, and the single person aboard sent up flares for help, according to BC Ferries (BCF). The Canadian Coast Guard spotted those flares, ferry officials said, and relayed a request for assistance –– as MV Quinsam was right in the area, on its last run of the day from Salt Spring’s Vesuvius Bay.
Quinsam’s crew quickly spotted the distressed sailor and launched a rescue boat, ultimately towing them to shore, BC Ferries said; vessel tracking records indicate the ferry diverted a little less than a kilometre from its usual line to Crofton at about 10:40 p.m.
“Once ashore, our crew helped drain the rowboat,” according to a BCF statement, “and towed the individual back to their sailboat.”
BCF crews undergo “extensive” marine safety and emergency response training, said BCF senior communications advisor Shiryn Sayani, and rescues like this are good examples of how the ferry company partners with emergency services on the water.
“We are incredibly proud of the dedication and skill of our teams,” said Sayani, “and the vital role BC Ferries plays in supporting and safeguarding coastal communities.”
Even with the rescue, the final sailing of the day back to Salt Spring was delayed just 44 minutes, according to ferry officials, who noted it was the second marine rescue involving ferry crews that week, and among more than a dozen in 2024. The operator of a capsized boat near Tsawwassen was helped Monday, Dec. 16.