BURST
On Sunday, we were the first car to arrive at the locked gate of the Langdale ferry terminal on the Sunshine Coast, 10 minutes after the last ship of the day had sailed for Vancouver.
Over 100 vehicles ended up parked behind us, including a tour bus, trucks, motorcycles and cars loaded with family and pets. My own small car included my daughter, two of her friends, our dog, and my husband.
We and the many others behind us missed the last scheduled sailing because of a highway closure near Sechelt following a terrible accident.
Like us, many in line had started their trip on an earlier ferry coming from Powell River and were headed down Highway 101 to connect to the ferry to Vancouver when the road closure, which started at around 5 p.m., stopped us in our tracks for more than five hours.
The evening had some interesting twists and turns worth reflecting on.
When we first stopped on the highway, people were out of their cars discussing the very limited information available.
Everyone’s top concern and thoughts were with those involved in the accident. No one was grumbling about being stopped and it was already clear that it would be awhile. Someone who lived nearby drove on the empty side of the highway to offer water and take those who needed to use the washroom back to her house. The best of human nature was on display.
In contrast a Facebook post providing a possible alternative route was met with a few vitriolic replies along the lines of anyone worried about making a ferry should be ashamed of themselves as all concern should be for those involved in the accident. Those on the ground allowed each other the grace that people could be both concerned for those in the accident and worried about getting home.
As it got dark and online searches showed no hotel rooms to be had, it was clear that unless B.C. Ferries held the last sailing, we would miss it — a concern that soon became a reality. When we finally got to the Langdale terminal at around 11 p.m., the gates were closed, and the lot was empty. That’s when we met Glen, the night manager.
Glen could have told us that we were out of luck because the last ship had sailed. Instead, he listened as we explained there were other cars coming, there were no hotel rooms, and people would need some help. As we were explaining, cars started flooding in behind us.
Glen immediately started working on the problem and kept us informed as he did. I asked if he could let people in to use the washrooms, and without hesitation he opened the passenger gate to a stream of grateful people.
Some in line speculated: “They will never put on another sailing for us.”
But Glen and the rest of the staff at B.C. Ferries involved in this mini-drama came through and looked as delighted as the passengers to find out that an extra sailing would take us home. When customers heard the news, they shook Glen’s hand while he pointed to the three other staff there as deserving just as much credit.
When the staff loaded us onto the boat, they smiled and nodded at our thanks.
Incredibly, when we went to the passenger deck at 1 a.m., the cafeteria was open. The staff greeted customers enthusiastically. When I thanked the kitchen staff for staying, they said, “It’s our pleasure.”
And then, “Your girls look hungry, what can we get you?” When I thanked the cashier for working so late, she also said, “Our pleasure,” confidently as if clearly the entire crew felt the same way.
Even the captain came on and said some nice words about a hard trip followed by a heartfelt, “Let’s get you home.”
Each of these gestures may seem small, but they are not.
As a society, our faith in institutions and in each other matters. When our institutions step up and do the right thing in the right way, it brings people together. When they don’t, it breeds the anger and resentment that fuels polarization and undermines trust. The B.C. Ferries staff delivered in a big way and deserve our thanks for far more than what they did on Sunday night.
As we head into Labour Day weekend, it’s worth remembering that people make up our institutions and all of us can support doing the right thing in the right way.
Laura Jones is President and CEO of the Business Council of B.C.