Shirtless man bit BC Ferries worker after hopping food counter, union says

An incident involving an aggressive passenger on board a busy morning sailing is just one example of the risks BC Ferries workers face on the job, the union say

An agitated man attacked a BC Ferries employee after leaping over a Coastal Café counter during a busy weekend sailing, according to the worker’s union.

Eric McNeely, president of the B.C. Ferry and Marine Workers Union, said the incident unfolded during the 7 a.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Saturday, and began on the vehicle deck.

A deckhand was reminding passengers to head up to the passenger deck, as required under Transport Canada regulations, when a shirtless man stepped out of a vehicle and “started a physical altercation,” McNeely said.

After a second employee came to help, the passenger ran upstairs and allegedly jumped into an employee-only area of the Coastal Café, where he fell onto his back.

“At that time the second (worker) was able to catch up to them,” McNeely said. “The passenger started kicking and when the second (worker) reached to stop the boot of the passenger, the passenger spun around and bit (him on the arm).”

A group of employees then managed to subdue the man. He was taken to a back room and restrained with help from an off-duty police officer, McNeely said.

The RCMP was called and apprehended the passenger after the ferry arrived on Vancouver Island, according to the union. CTV News has reached out to the Sidney North Saanich RCMP for more information, but has not received a response.

McNeely said the incident highlights some of the risks BC Ferries employees face while on the job.

“I can’t think of another biting off the top of my head, but kicking and punching unfortunately isn’t entirely uncommon,” he said.

McNeely pointed to a 2019 employee survey that found 82 per cent of BC Ferries workers had experienced physical or verbal abuse from passengers.

In a statement, BC Ferries told CTV News it is “deeply concerned” by Saturday’s incident.

“Our employees work hard every day to provide a safe and enjoyable journey for the thousands of passengers that travel with us. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated,” the company said.

“We are offering support to the affected crew members and will be conducting an internal review to assess what occurred and identify any additional measures that may be needed.”

With files from CTV News Vancouver’s Kevin Charach