Hardeep Parmar smiles, waves, jokes and smiles some more at passengers boarding the MV Klitsa in Brentwood Bay for the 25-minute journey to Mill Bay.
If visitors need directions to local attractions and businesses, Parmar is on hand to help out. He knows by name many commuters who rely on the route.
The 54-year-old’s cheerful and helpful personality prompted Destination Greater Victoria to surprise him on Wednesday on the vessel with a Victoria Hospitality Award, a recognition presented monthly to individuals and businesses.
A bouquet of flowers plus gifts were presented by Astrid Chang, Destination Greater Victoria’s executive director of corporate communications and community relations.
Parmar quipped that Scotch would have been accepted, but flowers are “the next best thing.”
He was nominated for the award by a passenger, who wrote: “I have watched this man administer excellent customer service and help tourists and locals alike.
“He walks the elderly off the boat. Carries off luggage and goes above and beyond duties.”
That passenger’s car had been broken into and they had no money to return home.
“Hardeep gave me money for the fare and gave me use of his phone for me to make arrangements. What a guy.”
Parmar was modest in response to the praise, saying other crew members do the same kind of thing. “It’s just a natural thing for our crew.”
Earlier that day, one of his fans arrived to catch the ferry in Brentwood Bay with a batch of cupcakes she’d baked for him.
Parmar, who later helped a 92-year-old foot passenger reach a waiting family member at Mill Bay, said the crew sees a lot of elderly people travelling for doctor’s appointments. “We get to know our customers very, very well,” he said.
His co-workers couldn’t say enough good things about Parmar on Wednesday, praising his work ethic and his cooking, which he frequently shares with colleagues.
Parmar said the crew is “like a tight-knit family.”
“We spend 12 hours here together and we are really like brothers.”
He started on the Mill Bay-Brentwood Bay route in 2010 as a ticket agent. Since then, he has watched children catching the ferry grow up, and has been there for marriages and when passengers sprinkle ashes of loved ones overboard.
He said he has no plans to ever leave. “I’ve built my B.C. Ferries career on the ship and so I’m obligated to stay here,” he said with a smile. “I feel that [the Klitsa] wants me.”
Martin Nielson, senior captain for the route, called Parmar a humble person who has “super authentic energy” and never shirks any extra duties.
“He engages with everybody. He makes the job fun.”
