BC Ferries vessel forced to turn around mid-sailing after passenger confronted about mask

A BC Ferries vessel sailing between Swartz Bay and Tsawwassen was forced to turn around shortly after its departure last week after a confrontation between a staff member and a passenger over the wearing of a mask.

According to a BC Ferries spokesperson, the incident took place this past Friday, on the 11 am Spirit of Vancouver Island sailing.

BC RCMP spokesperson Chris Manseau told Daily Hive that during the sailing, the passenger “was challenged by a staff member about the way they were wearing their mask.”

Manseau said the interaction escalated, and the ferry was ultimately turned back to Schwartz Bay.

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Once the ship was safely docked, the person was escorted from the ferry and met with members of the Sidney/North Saanich RCMP, Manseau said.

They were also issued two fines totalling $460 and were banned by BC Ferries for travelling for the rest of the day.

“They were then driven to the Victoria Airport by police at their request,” he added.