A 16-year-old male was arrested after a fire was set in a washroom on the Spirit of British Columbia ferry on its 7 p.m. sailing from Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay on Tuesday.
Police were called about 8:40 p.m. by B.C. Ferries, which reported that a fire had been set in a washroom on deck six, Sidney-North Saanich RCMP Const. Brent Vose said.
Ferry crews quickly extinguished the fire, Vose said.
Police arrived as the ferry was pulling into Swartz Bay. They searched for and arrested a youth of no fixed address who matched the description they were given from witness accounts. He was taken off the vessel without incident.
The extent of the damage remains under investigation, RCMP spokesman Cpl. Alex Berube said Wednesday.
The youth was released on an undertaking to appear in court at a future date on a charge of mischief.
Passenger Tracey Rompain was in her vehicle on the upper car deck when a fire alarm sounded and a public announcement was made for crew to report to muster stations.
Travellers on passenger decks were sent to muster stations as well, she said.
Crew members checked on passengers in vehicles, initially telling them to stay where they were but later asking them to go up to deck six. Rompain said they were about halfway there when another announcement told them to return to their vehicles.
Unloading of vehicles was delayed while the incident was dealt with. As a result, the 9 p.m. sailing left Swartz Bay about 45 minutes late.
Anyone with information about the fire is asked to call Sidney-North Saanich RCMP at 250-656-3931.
It’s the latest in a string of incidents where B.C. Ferries had to bring in police.
On Monday morning, police were called when a passenger was abusive to a staff member at Buckley Bay, where the Baynes Sound Connector cable ferry was scheduled to leave at 10 a.m. The ferry was delayed by 30 minutes while the incident was handled.
B.C. Ferries says it has zero tolerance for abuse.
In late September, police were contacted after a meeting attended by B.C. Ferries officials, Southern Sunshine Coast ferry advisory committee members and area residents grew heated. B.C. Ferries officials said a woman at the meeting threatened to take a gun to everyone if the organization did not make changes.
The company has since cancelled all in-person meetings with advisory committees and drop-in sessions while it adjusts its safety and security policy.
