The Campbell River ferry terminal was full of activity Monday morning as BC Ferries dealt with a medical transport as well as the launch of a new construction project.
Deborah Marshall, executive director of public affairs for BC Ferries, said the morning began with a call for help.
“We got a call from BCAS (BC Ambulance Service) asking us to transport a critically ill patient this morning on the Powell River Queen so we did an extra unscheduled sailing,” Marshall said.
The sailing put the ship 20 minutes behind schedule, on both the Quadra Island and Campbell River side.
From time to time BC Ferries is asked to run emergency sailings to transport ill or injured patients from Quadra Island to Campbell River in order to get them to hospital as soon as possible.
Last year, BC Ferries assisted in 196 medical emergencies on board ships or in terminals. Some of those calls come in during the middle of the night, and if a crew can be assembled, BC Ferries will transport residents from smaller islands such as Quadra, Sointula and Gabriola over to Vancouver Island for medical help. Other times the calls involve holding ships at the terminal in order for paramedics to get patients to the boat on time.
Meanwhile, BC Ferries on Monday began a shoreline stabilization project at the Campbell River terminal. Construction crews were removing rock from the breakwater and hauling the material away.
Marshall said the work will not impact scheduled sailings for customers.
“The shoreline stabilization project is not interfering with the operation of the vessel,” she said. “The project is to ensure the long term stability of the shoreline. We have to undertake these projects at the terminals from time to time.”
While there is no operational impact, the work does affect foot passengers.
During the project, the sidewalk heading northbound on the east side exiting the terminal will be temporarily closed and foot traffic is required to use the west side of Highway 19A instead, crossing at the pedestrian crosswalk.
As for vehicles, in order to accommodate the dump trucks moving to and from the site, traffic will be restricted to one lane traffic northbound, with no effect to the southbound lanes.
Kristen Douglas/Campbell River Mirror
BC Ferries is undertaking a shoreline stabilization project this week at the Campbell River ferry terminal.