BC Ferries is considering restrictions on cocooning on the car deck, and a full ban on lighting up on the outside decks.
The company has confirmed it plans to start following Transport Canada regulations that limit passenger access to the lower, closed car decks while ferries are in motion.
The C-Class ferries, like the Queen of Surrey, are closed only on the lowest deck. An exception would also be made for passengers using the designated pet area.
As well as the changes to the rules on car deck access, BC Ferries is looking at making its vessels completely smoke free.
BC Ferries’ current policy allows smoking on most ships, but limits it to designated areas on the outside decks, at least three metres from doorways. It does not allow smoking of marijuana (with or without a medical certificate) anywhere at the terminals or on the ships.
Ferries is still working on the details of the car deck access restrictions and smoking ban – a formal announcement is likely in January.
BC Ferries has also started talks with the BC Ferry and Marine Workers Union on possible changes to the schedules on the Langdale to Horseshoe Bay, Horseshoe Bay to Nanaimo, and Bowen Island routes.
At the Nov. 14 meeting of the local Ferry Advisory Committee, BC Ferries vice president of strategic planning Mark Collins said changing the schedules to have a longer service day is the best strategy to prevent late sailings and overloads.
In a bulletin to members this week, the union said it had its first meeting with BC Ferries on Dec. 19, is “now evaluating our options to best address this intended change,” and plans to hold meetings with members working on the effected routes early in the new year.
The bulletin also said the company wants to put expanded schedules into effect in May 2017.
