Ducking Responsibility at BC Ferries

Suppose driver license exams are eliminated and young drivers are simply asked to confirm in writing that they are qualified. It wouldn't be a great surprise if crashes and deaths increased, yet that is the response of BC Ferries to the Transportation Safety Board's letter regarding the sinking of the Queen of the North.

An indignant David Hahn, Chief Executive Officer of BC Ferries, was quoted in the June 6th Vancouver Sun saying: "Why didn't someone stand up and say 'I don't know how to use this,' to the most senior officer?" Hahn appears to fail to understand the most fundamental responsibilities of management. It is management's duty to see that staff is properly trained and qualified. When changes are made in navigational equipment, as was done on the Queen of the North, staff should be trained and examined on the operation of that equipment. It is foolish, and nothing but buck passing, to request that staff sign a form saying that they are familiar with the equipment. How would someone know that their understanding is faulty? They could either be examined over their understanding or management could wait until a tragic mistake occurs and then pull out the ridiculous paperwork.

Hahn and the BC Ferry and Marine Workers' Union are now in a battle of words over who is responsible for safety. Watch for the Campbell government to deny any responsibility even though BC Ferries is a creature of provincial legislation and owned by the government. Eventually the Transportation Safety Board will prepare its final report, but that won't be the final word. Issues of responsibility and liability will be determined by the court. Gerald Foisy and Shirley Rosette are presumed to have died as a result of the sinking. The co-executors of Foisy's estate have commenced an action in BC Supreme Court for damages. It is unlikely that the court will accept Hahn's assertion that it is up to staff to know and disclose what they don't know, as opposed to it being up to management to train and examine staff when equipment changes are made.