PrivateIndustryDoesBetterVille
In an interview last week with Vancouver Sun columnist Vaughn Palmer before the contents of the (Transportation Safety Board) report were made public, BC Ferries president David Hahn characterized them as "benign."
Vancouver Sun Editorial, June 7th, 2006
"[But] our investigators turned up a safety deficiency . . . and we are telling B.C. Ferries about what we uncovered," he said.
"We don't wait for the final report if something needs to be done. We haven't drawn any conclusions, but we've seen this thing, and it's starting to quack like a duck."
Canadian Transportation Safety Board spokesman John Cottreau, June 7th, 2006
"I think that's a bunch of B.S."
BC Ferries' former head of safety is suing the corporation for breach of contract, accusing the company of ignoring his warnings about safety problems in the days before a ferry sank in March (2006).
Capt. Darin Bowland, who resigned just after the Queen of the North sank with two passengers missing and presumed drowned, has filed a lawsuit in B.C. Supreme Court.
Bowland, an experienced master mariner, was appointed director of safety, health and environment for BC Ferries in February (2006).
His contract said ensuring the safety of all customers and staff would be a primary concern. But his statement of claim says the company wouldn't let him do his job. The writ, made public on Tuesday, says he reviewed the company's safety practices and found them "woefully inadequate." And Bowland says he warned senior management "there was a strong likelihood of catastrophic incidents" if those procedures were not improved.
CBC British Columbia, June 13, 2006
"After the allegations in Borland's lawsuit surfaced today, David Hahn and the people from B.C. Ferries were no where to be found. "
Michael Smyth, 'Nightline B.C.', CKNW Radio, June 13th 2006
To be honest, I'm not exactly sure what to really make of all this.
But in considering Mr. Bowland's latest claims, ask yourself this (leaving the Queen of the North sinking out of the equation for the moment)..... How many times can you remember B.C. Ferries vessels losing power and/or propellers and drifting over pleasure craft and smashing into docks before the era of privatization?
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