What Crew Members Say About Queen-Of-Cumberland

On March 5, 2026, the Queen of Cumberland faced a significant setback due to a malfunctioning electrical breaker, resulting in the cancellation of numerous ferry sailings from Swartz Bay in Victoria to the Southern Gulf Islands, including stops at Pender, Mayne, Saturna, and Galiano. The vessel did not depart the port, and while the issue was addressed, the scheduled 5:00 a.m. sailing from Swartz Bay was abruptly cancelled. At 4:40 a.m., the Salish Raven commenced its journey from Swartz Bay, successfully docking at Mayne Island’s Village Bay at 6:25 a.m. Throughout the day, all planned sailings of the Queen of Cumberland were cancelled due to ongoing repairs. Affected sailings included: 5:00 am (Swartz Bay), 6:15 am (Lyall Harbour), 7:00 am (Village Bay), 7:40 am (Otter Bay), 9:10 am (Swartz Bay), 10:25 am (Lyall Harbour), 11:15 am (Village Bay), 11:55 am (Sturdies Bay), 12:30 pm (Village Bay), 3:15 pm (Swartz Bay), 4:35 pm (Lyall Harbour), 5:35 pm (Sturdies Bay), 6:20 pm (Village Bay), and 7:05 pm (Otter Bay). Additional cancellations later in the day included sailings at 8:00 pm (Swartz Bay), 8:50 pm (Otter Bay), 9:20 pm (Village Bay), and 10:05 pm (Lyall Harbour). In light of these disruptions, the Salish Raven adjusted its schedule to accommodate affected passengers, with departures including an Otter Bay (Pender Island) to Swartz Bay (Victoria) route at 4:20 pm and follow-up trips throughout the evening. As of March 6, the Queen of Cumberland remained docked at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal, awaiting resolution of the electrical issues.

In a shocking incident on July 8, a man attempted to drive his Tesla off the moving 'Queen of Cumberland' ferry, allegedly injuring at least one B.C. Ferries employee. The unusual behavior began during the ferry's route from Mayne Island to Swartz Bay Terminal at approximately 9:35 p.m. Reports suggest that the Tesla driver was initially problematic during the boarding process, disregarding staff instructions and maneuvering to the front center of the vessel, seemingly eager to disembark first. Midway through the sailing, the driver exited his vehicle and began an erratic car wash, reportedly in his underwear, using bottled water and paper towels, demonstrating increasingly bizarre behavior. In a startling turn of events, he managed to open the gate at the front of the ferry, attempting to drive off towards Pender Island. Eyewitnesses say he was yelling at ferry staff who approached him in an effort to defuse the situation, which led to the temporary halt of the ferry. Despite attempts by fellow passengers to block his tires, he drove forward, aggressively reversing at other individuals at times and ultimately making contact with at least one ferry employee. Upon arrival at Swartz Bay just after 11:30 p.m., Sidney/North Saanich RCMP were prepared for the situation, with police cruisers positioned to block the ramp. Officers swiftly removed the man from his vehicle and took him into custody. B.C. Ferries staff acted promptly, ensuring the safety of other passengers by directing them to the upper decks away from the unfolding chaos. Following a thorough police investigation, the B.C. Prosecution Service has filed five charges against the driver: assault with a weapon, two counts of mischief, dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, and obstruction. The individual has been remanded pending his court appearance. In light of the incident, B.C. Ferries is conducting an internal review to assess the situation and explore potential enhancements to their safety protocols.

On March 9, 2023, the ferry 'Queen of Cumberland' faced significant service interruptions after a vehicle became lodged on the ramp at Earls Cove, located north of Sechelt. This unfortunate incident halted the boarding process, prompting the cancellation of multiple sailings while crews awaited improved tidal conditions for the safe removal of the stranded vehicle. The affected sailings included: - 9:25 a.m. from Saltery Bay (Powell River) - 10:25 a.m. from Earls Cove (Sechelt) - 11:20 a.m. from Saltery Bay (Powell River) - 12:25 p.m. from Earls Cove (Sechelt). For additional details and visuals regarding the disruption, check out the reports with photos and video: [Global News](https://globalnews.ca/news/9539835/bc-ferries-truck-stuck-sailings-cancelled-earls-cove/) and [Coast Reporter](https://www.coastreporter.net/highlights/blocked-ramp-cancels-sailings-between-saltery-bay-and-earls-cove-6673165).

A recent investigation by the Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has shed light on a troubling incident involving the 'Queen of Cumberland', which occurred during a routine drill on April 18, 2018. The report reveals that an inadequately short rope, known as a painter, was the primary cause of a tragic accident resulting in injuries to two crew members. This incident took place near the Swartz Bay terminal during operational drills. As the crew performed buoyancy exercises, the davit was in use when the hoist cable unexpectedly broke, causing the rescue boat to plummet 11 meters into the waters below. Fortunately, both crew members were equipped with survival suits and helmets, but they still sustained injuries from the fall. The TSB's findings indicated that the insufficient length of the painter exerted excessive force on both the boat and the hoist cable, leading to the cable being pinched and ultimately breaking. In response to the accident, a shore-deployed vessel was able to reach the crew members swiftly, retrieving them from the water and transporting them to a hospital for medical evaluation. Following this incident, B.C. Ferries instituted a new safety policy stating that personnel are prohibited from being on rescue boats during their ascent or descent, except in emergency situations. In addition to policy changes, B.C. Ferries has improved training protocols related to the operation of davits. The TSB emphasized that while the davit was upgraded in 2016, relevant updates to operational and maintenance procedures had not been implemented. They highlighted the crucial need for effective management of equipment changes on vessels, stating that failure to update operational protocols and training could lead to decreased crew proficiency in using the equipment, thereby amplifying the risks of equipment malfunctions, accidents, and injuries.

The 'Queen of Cumberland' is on track for a timely return to service as repair efforts continue smoothly. BC Ferries has announced that the vessel will be back in action on the Swartz Bay to Southern Gulf Islands route starting May 18. The ferry was temporarily taken out of service due to an issue with a rescue boat davit, which is currently being replaced. Before resuming its essential role, the vessel will undergo recertification to ensure it meets all safety standards.