![A lone walk-on passenger makes his way off a B.C. Ferry. B.C. Ferries is proposing a cut of 400 sailings a year from major routes. Read it on Global News: Global BC | BC Ferries involved in 18 marine incidents last year](http://www.seanews.com.tr/images/haberler/2012_04/76367/u1_ferries.jpg)
BC Ferries vessels last year were involved in 18 reportable incidents — 10 of those involving a risk of collision with other vessels — according to federal transportation safety board documents.
The documents, compiled at The Vancouver Sun’s request, show the other eight incidents involved problems such as hard landings at docks, mechanical breakdowns and fires.
BC Ferries spokeswoman Deborah Marshall would not comment on specific incidents, but said “Masters are encouraged to report any violations of the rules of the road in order to prevent more serious incidents in the future.”
The SeaBus, operated by TransLink between North Vancouver and Vancouver, was also involved in two incidents.
On March 29, the Burrard Otter reported smoke emitting from one engine room. Engines were shut down and the vessel completed service on the remaining machinery after inspection by the engineer.
On July 21, the Burrard Beaver lost both power and steering while approaching the ferry dock in Vancouver. The ferry hit the dock, and a tug gave assistance.
Federal law requires the reporting of marine incidents for larger vessels in cases such as groundings, persons or cargo overboard, strikes of an underground cable or pipe, risk of collision, machinery failure, or crew directly related to the safe operation of the ship unable to perform their duties.
The 2011 incidents involving BC Ferries:
• Jan. 7: The Northern Adventure had a galley fire in Prince Rupert harbour. The fire was contained to an oven.
• April 22: The pleasure craft Ocean Viking reported a close quarters situation with the Queen of Nanaimo near Gossip Reef buoy in Active Pass. The Ocean Viking reduced speed with port helm to avoid a collision.
• April 26: The ferry Mill Bay sustained a hard landing at Mill Bay on Vancouver Island. Steelwork repairs were done before the vessel returned to service.
• May 1: The Queen of Cowichan was in a close quarters situation with the pleasure craft Four Winds at the entrance to Departure Bay, Nanaimo.
• May 1: The Spirit of B.C. had a small appliance fire in the galley while transiting Swanson Channel in the Gulf Islands.
• May 5: The Coastal Celebration inadvertently backed into the dock while departing the Swartz Bay ferry terminal, near Victoria. Both the ramp and a ferry door sustained damage.
• May 13: The Queen of New Westminster encountered a close quarters situation with the fishing vessel Foolish Pleasure near Helen Point in Active Pass. The ferry had to reduce speed and stop the starboard shaft to avoid a collision.
• June 26: The Quadra Queen reported a close call with the fishing vessel Kristin Joye near the north end of Haddington Island.
• July 1: The Queen of Nanaimo had a hard landing at Tsawwassen terminal. The ferry returned to Saltspring Island without passengers for “rubbing strake” repairs.
• Aug. 1: The Spirit of B.C. reported a near miss with the fishing boat Double V near Satellite Channel, off Saltspring Island. The ferry had to do an emergency stop to avoid a collision.
• Aug. 6: The Spirit of B.C. reported a close quarter situation with the fishing vessel Galicia near Active Pass. The ferry altered course abruptly, reduced speed and sounded its whistle to avoid a collision.
• Aug. 18: The Coastal Celebration reported a close call when a motoring sailing vessel crossed its bow in Moresby Passage. The ferry had to “zero their pitch” and slow significantly to avoid a collision.
• Aug. 27: The Coastal Celebration had a near miss with the U.S.-registered fishing vessel Lucia in Active Pass.
• Sept. 12: The Queen of Nanaimo reported a close-quarter situation with the pleasure craft Banshee in Long Harbour, Saltspring Island.
• Oct. 3: The ferry Kahloke, while at Shingle Spit dock on Hornby Island, sustained deck and “ER casing punctures” after an accidental drop of pile-driving equipment.
• Oct. 19: The ferry Kuper and the fishing vessel Lasqueti Isle had a close-quarter situation near Chemainus.
• Nov. 18: The Queen of Coquitlam struck the wing wall and sustained damage to the port bow rubbing strake while berthing at Departure Bay.
• Dec. 20: The Coastal Inspiration experienced a hard landing at Duke Point. The vessel sustained damage to the port and starboard bow doors. The dock also had substantial damage.
Read it on Global News: Global BC | BC Ferries involved in 18 marine incidents last year