BC Ferries says there was no danger to passengers after a commercial vehicle driving off the Queen of Surrey in Langdale Sunday morning hit part of the ramp, puncturing its diesel tank and causing about 50 litres of fuel to spill.
The accident happened as crews were getting ready for the 8:40 a.m. sailing back to Horseshoe Bay.
At least one traveller on that sailing has raised concerns about the fact that passengers had been loaded and were not allowed back off while the cleanup took place.
Deborah Marshall of BC Ferries told Coast Reporter that the vehicle that caused the leaks was isolated in the exit lanes, and much of the fuel went through the grating into the water.
“The loading of the upper car deck had already begun when the incident happened,” Marshall said. “There was no danger to passengers from risk of fire… The decision was made to get all the traffic onboard with the intent of departing to enable clean-up crews to focus containment of oil in the water with the vessel out of the berth.”
Marshall said there was a delay in the ferry’s departure while the Surrey’s crew helped the terminal staff with the initial spill response and a further delay while BC Ferries contacted the appropriate external agencies and arranged for spill cleanup contractors. Passengers remained onboard until the ferry eventually sailed around 10:00 a.m.
The Surrey left late and BC Ferries then cancelled the 9:45 a.m. return from Horseshoe Bay and the 10:50 out of Langdale to allow for “a thorough clean-up in and around the pilings and under the ramps.”
Marshall said the priority Sunday was “the safety and security of our passengers and the environment” and the company is apologizing to travellers whose plans were disrupted by the cancelled sailings.
Service resumed with the 11:55 a.m. sailing out of Horseshoe Bay.
