A man from Vancouver Island found himself confused and stranded after being questioned by BC Ferries staff during a return journey from a Christmas visit with his family. Edward Thomas, traveling with his two children, had taken a ferry from Sechelt, B.C., to Horseshoe Bay and was preparing for the next leg to Nanaimo. As time was tight, he purchased his tickets at the Horseshoe Bay gift shop.
According to Thomas, a BC Ferries employee accused them of not having tickets, which was clarified after he showed proof. The situation escalated when the employee began questioning the contents of his luggage. Thomas explained his bags contained nothing unusual—just Christmas gifts. He was then accused of using the ferry system as a courier service, although he was uncertain what that implied.
Due to this confrontation, Thomas missed the scheduled sailing and had to wait for a subsequent one, resulting in further delays. BC Ferries responded, emphasizing their policy that passengers and their checked baggage must travel together to adhere to safety protocols, preventing instances where items are left unattended for others to pick up. The company confirmed that in this case, standard checks were performed, and no security personnel were involved, though it acknowledged such situations are challenging for both passengers and staff.
Thomas expressed frustration over being publicly scrutinized in front of his children and other passengers, stating his primary concern was to get home safely with his family. BC Ferries reiterated their commitment to passenger safety while navigating the challenges that arise from ensuring these standards are upheld.
