Comments on: Russian Freighter Collides with BC Ferry https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/ Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:59:06 +0000 hourly 1 By: Peter A. https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-65198 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:59:06 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-65198 In reply to Dave.

The Russian freighter was empty and sitting high in the water. It was heading to the main land to load up. So because it was empty, it had less momentum. It struck above the iron bumper on the ferry, slid up it and came to a stop quickly. The resulting hole in the ferry was above the water line and after hours of study, while we drifted out to sea, experts determined it would be safe to pull the ships apart and sail back to Tsawwassen under its own steam.

]]> By: Peter A. https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-65197 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:52:53 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-65197 In reply to C Shepherd.

I was on the ferry watching the people on the island as we were going through Active Pass. Maybe it was you I saw! My dog was in the car. I was so worried about it, I insisted my dad go down to get it, in case we had to abandon ship. Forcing his way through the chaos, and down to the car deck, he was passed by the crew bringing up the woman who died. I was so happy to see my dog and reunite with him.

]]> By: Peter A. https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-65196 Wed, 17 Jun 2026 11:47:12 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-65196 I was outside up front on the bow, port side. Saw the freighter come around the island into Active Pass heading straight for us. Never imagined it would hit, so my dad and I just stood at the railing to watch it pass. On impact everyone outside on deck fell over like bowling pins, except my dad and I because he was a WWII sailor on a Corvette and stood firm!

]]> By: Jason Vandale https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-63844 Sun, 03 Aug 2025 16:04:50 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-63844 My Father was working on the ferry that day, he was a deckhand at the time…I’ve heard countless stories of the day. I don’t remember it but mom says we sat Twsassessn terminal for hours waiting for dad that night…Again I was too young to remember but Mom and my older sister were horrified

]]> By: Debbie Thoss https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-63839 Sun, 03 Aug 2025 00:39:25 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-63839 I have this photo

]]> By: Paul https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-59001 Wed, 23 Aug 2023 02:25:22 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-59001 I remember it well, even though I was only little.

]]> By: C Shepherd https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-54532 Tue, 30 Aug 2022 03:01:56 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-54532 Hi l was in bed that morning but my mom yelled at me to watch the ships . I’ll never forget that day . We had a summer home on Mayne Island and we looked out to active pass l watch the whole thing with my dog . I was scared for the people on the boat and l keep saying to my mom what about the animals in the cars. But that was a exciting day and a day l’ll never forget. Even to this day when we go over to our summer place l remember that day and will never forget it.

]]> By: Dave McLeod https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-53496 Tue, 02 Aug 2022 20:42:40 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-53496 Weird fact – the teacher killed was born in Russia. So sad – her and her son were killed.

]]> By: Rob Poole https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-17387 Sat, 07 Aug 2021 17:39:14 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-17387 I was 15 years old and living in Tsawwassen at the time, we went down to ferry slip when ferry came in and watched the cars drive off, then the tow trucks started to back in and pull the damaged cars out, It was terrible to see some of cars some covered in blood with sheets trying to hide them.

]]> By: J Chow https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-17151 Fri, 06 Aug 2021 17:55:20 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-17151 My dad was working on the ferry.
I was only 7 years old at the time.
He retired in 81.

]]> By: Ron https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-16784 Thu, 05 Aug 2021 05:10:56 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-16784 I was a passenger on her that very day . We we where going to Abbotsford . I was sitting in the galley and can remember the hit well . It one of those things you never forget

]]> By: Robin Hilliard https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-16097 Mon, 02 Aug 2021 17:42:39 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-16097 In reply to Dave.

The freighter plugged the hole

]]> By: Richard Quan https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-14944 Thu, 29 Jul 2021 16:13:59 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-14944 I worked my summers and holidays on b.c. ferries during my UVic years and graduated in 1970. I was lucky not to be on the Queen of Victoria which I had worked on in the galley. We are fortunate there wasn’t more loss of life and injuries. Thanks to everyone who came to the rescue and those involved who prevented a further catastrophe. I am glad that B.C. Ferries remains under government control.❤️🇨🇦😇😄👀🙏🚑🛳🚢⛴

]]> By: Ron Taylor https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-13808 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 23:40:52 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-13808 In reply to Dave.

Proper design for the ferry. Bulkheads divide the the ship into watertight compartments, similar to an ice cube tray.

]]> By: Colleen https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-13732 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 17:48:31 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-13732 In reply to Dave.

Thats what I was thinking!

]]> By: Dave https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-13706 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 16:22:40 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-13706 I wonder why the ferry didn’t sink?

]]> By: YvonnerAB https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-13699 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 15:57:41 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-13699 In reply to James Hourston.

Here’s Global News footage from last years as the 50th anniversary
http://globalnews.ca/video/7247189/50-years-since-russian-freighter-crashed-into-bc-ferry-in-active-pass

]]> By: James Hourston https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-13585 Sun, 25 Jul 2021 07:01:46 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-13585 From my vantage point at Crystal Water Beach at Holiday Farm the impacts noise was loud enough and from an unusual area that we took the ski boat over to see, what was from the water a unusual sight indeed.
Would film of this must be quite something esp if the audio is included

]]> By: Gwendolyne Michaud https://evelazarus.com/bc-ferries-and-the-russian-freighter/#comment-13486 Sat, 24 Jul 2021 21:00:38 +0000 https://evelazarus.com/?p=11615#comment-13486 I remember this well. So Tragic. I had to take the Ferry through Active pass (beautiful spot) the next weekend. Shook nervously the whole time we were travelling through the area.

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