Children rescued after fire on B.C. school ferry
No injuries have been reported after an engine fire broke out on a school boat in B.C. waters on Thursday morning.
The ferry, called the Graduate, was in Active Pass taking students and staff from Galiano Island and Mayne Island to Pender Island and Salt Spring Island when it suffered mechanical issues, according to the Gulf Islands School District (SD64).
The fire was discovered by crew members after an engine alarm activated. The flames were "quickly extinguished" and all safety procedures were followed by the operator, Gulf Islands Water Taxi, according to the school district.
First responders received reports of the fire around 7:30 a.m., according to Lt-Cdr. Tony Wright with Maritime Forces Pacific.
A Canadian Coast Guard team stationed in Ganges, on Salt Spring Island, responded to the emergency, as well as a BC Ferries vessel, the Coastal Renaissance.
The school district says 33 people – 31 students and two adults – were aboard the vessel at the time of the fire, and all passengers were safely transferred onto another Gulf Islands Water Taxi boat called the Scholar.
SD64 secretary treasurer Jesse Guy says students onboard the vessel were in Grades 6 – 12.
"We share the concern of family and community," said Guy on Thursday morning. "We have reached out to impacted families and will continue to do so."
She adds that students were met by district staff when they came ashore, and have been offered counselling supports at their schools.
"We have been assured by Gulf Island Water Taxi, the contract holder of our district's student water transportation, that all safety procedures were followed during the incident," said Guy.
The coast guard has since towed the Graduate to North Saanich, B.C., for repairs.
BC FERRIES RESPONSE
BC Ferries says it was contacted by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Victoria to assist with a vessel in distress in Active Pass on Thursday morning.
The Coastal Renaissance, which was travelling from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay at the time of the fire, launched a rescue boat to assist in the rescue.
It was later stood down by the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and BC Ferries did not take on any passengers from the Graduate.
"BC Ferries is involved in marine rescues from time to time and our crews are highly trained to respond to marine emergencies," said BC Ferries spokesperson Astrid Chang.
The ferry was delayed about 30 minutes due to the incident.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Quebec farmers have been protesting since December. Is anyone listening?
Upset about high interest rates, growing paperwork and heavy regulatory burdens, protesting farmers have become a familiar sight across Quebec since December.
'Catch-and-kill' strategy to be a focus as testimony resumes in Trump hush money case
A veteran tabloid publisher was expected to return to the witness stand Tuesday in Donald Trump's historic hush money trial.
Prince William and wife Kate thank public for birthday messages for son Louis
Prince William and his wife Kate thanked the public for their messages which had been sent to mark the sixth birthday of their youngest son Louis on Tuesday.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.