The Transportation Safety Board of Canada Issues a Board Concern Regarding Cannabis Use by Crew Members in BC Ferries' Northern Fleet

News Release

(Gatineau, Quebec, October 17, 2007) - The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) issued a Board Concern about cannabis use aboard ferries to BC Ferries as part of the ongoing investigation into the sinking of the Queen of the North on March 22, 2006 (TSB occurrence M06W0052).
The Board Concern was issued after the TSB learned that several crew members of the Queen of the North regularly smoked cannabis between shifts, both on board and off the vessel. The Board stressed that there is no evidence that the crew members on the bridge at the time of the accident were impaired.
"Ferry crews whose performance is impaired by cannabis are a clear risk to the travelling public," said Mrs. Wendy A. Tadros, Chair of the Board. "We are confident that BC Ferries will determine the extent of the problem and effectively manage this risk so it will not lead to a serious accident," she added.
In expressing its concern and highlighting the risk, the Board believes that BC Ferries is in the best position to determine whether this behaviour is present on board other vessels in its northern fleet. As a first step, BC Ferries should determine whether cannabis is in use by crews of other vessels or whether it was isolated to the Queen of the North. This should include a review of the effectiveness of the company's policy on alcohol/drugs. The Board further encouraged BC Ferries to address the issue without delay.
The TSB will be monitoring the progress made by BC Ferries on this issue and will be reporting on it in its final report into the sinking of the Queen of the North.
The TSB is an independent agency that investigates marine, pipeline, railway and aviation transportation occurrences. Its sole aim is the advancement of transportation safety. It is not the function of the Board to assign fault or determine civil or criminal liability.
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The Board Concern is also available on the TSB site.
For more information, contact:
John Cottreau
Senior Media Relations Advisor
Telephone: (819) 994-8053
Cellular: (613) 292-4146
or
Julie Leroux
Media Relations Specialist
Telephone: (819) 994-8067
Cellular: (613) 290-9875

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The Transportation Safety Board of Canada Issues a Board Concern Regarding Cannabis Use by Crew Members in BC Ferries' Northern Fleet

News Release

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