Shipping Hazards - Active Pass Area
Someone once asked one of the BC Ferries captains what it was like
to take his ship through Active Pass. "Like driving a car
through a crowded playground at recess!" was his reply. Active
Pass is on the main connecting ferry route between the mainland and
Vancouver Island, and is also used by most inter-island ferries
connecting the southern Gulf Islands.On average, a ferry passes
through the Pass every half hour or so, but it is not unusual to
find two or three ferries in the pass at once. It is located about
half way between the mainland and Vancouver Island, and ferries
coming from both directions often meet there.
The ferries cruise at about 18 knots, slowing to 15 knots to
negotiate a series of right angle turns and blind corners in the
Pass. From a boat in the pass, you will not see a ferry approaching
until it is two or three minutes away. The ferries and all other
commercial shipping sound their whistles several times as they
negotiate the winding waterway, and you will usually hear them well
before you see them.
There is also much activity a short distance from each end of the
Pass. Ferries frequently dock at terminals on Sturdies Bay, Galiano
Island (east end of the Pass) , and Village Bay, Mayne Island (west
end of the Pass).
The primary ferry hazard zone on Mayne Island extends from Georgina
Point at the northeast corner through the Pass and down as far as
Dinner Point on the west side. See attached map. Of course, it is
necessary to cross ferry lanes in other areas, but the zone marked
in red is the area of the greatest hazard, because visibility is
limited. For instance, if you are crossing from Dinner Point to
Portlock Point, and a westbound superferry emerges from Active Pass
at Helen Point, it will take just under six minutes for the ferry
to cross your path.
It is very helpful to have a VHF radio when paddling in the ferry
hazard zone. Canadian Vessel Traffic Services (Vancouver Traffic or
Victoria Traffic) operate on Canadian channel 11. Ferries announce
their position as they approach Georgina Point, Helen Point, and
Portlock Point. The also announce when docking at area ferry
terminals. Turn your VHF radio on at least 20 minutes prior to
making a crossing in the ferry hazard zone, in order to get an idea
of which ferry is headed where.
It is possible to call Vancouver or Victoria Traffic to let them
know where you are and to ask them for the current location of
ferries, expected ETA, etc. However, such calling should be done
only when it is impossible to develop the same information by
monitoring ferry transmissions. Keep any radio transmissions brief
and businesslike.
TOP OF PAGE
