Former safety director sues BC Ferries
BC Ferries' former head of safety is suing the corporation for breach of contract, accusing the company of ignoring his warnings about safety problems in the days before a ferry sank in March.
 Investigators released this photo of the the sunken ferry in March. (Courtesy: Transportation Safety Board) |
Bowland, an experienced master mariner, was appointed director of safety, health and environment for BC Ferries in February.
His contract said ensuring the safety of all customers and staff would be a primary concern. But his statement of claim says the company wouldn't let him do his job.
The writ, made public on Tuesday, says he reviewed the company's safety practices and found them "woefully inadequate." And Bowland says he warned senior management "there was a strong likelihood of catastrophic incidents" if those procedures were not improved.
But he says BC Ferries ignored his advice, recommendations and warnings.
- FROM MARCH 29, 2006: Safety official raised concerns before sinking
He resigned a week after the ferry hit a rock at Gil Island while en route from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy. Ninety-nine people were rescued but two passengers were never found.
Bowland says that after the sinking, senior management took away his contractual duty to investigate the accident and undermined his authority.
He resigned a week after the accident. Now he's accusing BC Ferries of making "inaccurate, false and misleading" statements about his duties.
BC Ferries has yet not filed a statement of defence, and a spokesperson says the company will not be commenting publicly.