another ferry update

I spoke to Elgin McKillop this week, and he will be sending me some photos of the refit of Centurion VII to post on the website. I'll let you know when they are there.

He and the crew said that nobody would be left behind at the end of the day. If there are large numbers of people who miss a ferry, they could run the boat a bit faster and do an extra trip. I don't think they can do this, and follow the regular schedule, except between noon and 2:30. But at least we don't have to worry about being left behind at the end of the day.

I was also told that Harry was incorrect in saying that passes wouldn't be put out. The crew continues to put out passes whenever they feel that there is likely to be an overload. Remember that, with a pass, you need to be onboard the ferry at least 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time. Any you haven't missed the ferry until it has left without you, so don't go home just because there are no passes still out on the post, unless you want to.

The Lasqueti Trust Committee wrote to Western Pacific Marine (the contract service provider) and BC Ferries (who contract out the service) objecting to the complete lack of notice to the community of the smaller and less adequate ferry, and asking them both to recognize and acknowledge and work with the Lasqueti Ferry Committee.

Elgin replied immediately to our letter:

"Thank you for your letter of March 4th, 2014. Your points are well made and are taken. Every effort will be made to maintain strong, clear and timely communications as this mid-life refit progresses. I will be providing reports and photos of the refit progress to Mr. Peter Johnston for posting on the community webpage.

"I regret the way the Hollyburn was deployed into the Lasqueti Island service. It was due in part to my inaccurate assumptions about how information was disseminated to the community. Now that I am clear on the communication protocol I will make sure that the community is appropriately informed.

"I appreciate the flexibility of the Lasqueti community during the refit on the Centurion VII and sincerely thank them for their understanding and cooperation."

Elgin sent copies of his response to the LTC to BC Ferries and to me. I'll let you know when and what we hear from BC Ferries