Videos of RCMP officers boarding BC Ferries vessel in ‘routine training’ exercise

(Credit: Facebook/Heather Matchett)

There was a dramatic scene for passengers aboard a BC Ferries vessel this week as RCMP officers conducted marine training exercises.

Social media videos show RCMP boats speeding up beside a ferry that was travelling between Tsawwassen and Nanaimo on Thursday—followed by officers climbing aboard and scaling the side of the vessel.

“Straight out of the movies it was,” witness Heather Matchett wrote on Facebook.

In a statement, BC Ferries said the company “regularly works with the RCMP to support routine training exercises on and around our vessels.”

“This kind of preparedness work is important,” it added. “It helps ensure responders are familiar with the vessel environment and are able to act quickly and safely if an incident ever occurs.”

There was no impact to passengers or the day’s sailing schedule as a result of the training, BC Ferries said.