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(NEWS 1130)  A man is facing charges after a bizarre series of events last night.

It started on the Coastal Celebration BC Ferries vessel on its way to Swartz Bay. In the area of Active Pass, passengers and crew saw someone throw a life raft overboard and then jump off.
The RCMP, search and rescue teams, and the Coast Guard were called in.
Shortly after, police received a call from a woman on Galiano Island, reporting that an incoherent man — who didn’t have any clothes on and was soaking wet — broke into her home. He apparently threw furniture and other items around the home, causing damage.
The woman managed to get out of the home and went to her neighbours’ to call for help. Police believe the man then walked to a nearby resort and broke into one of the cabins.
The man was eventually arrested and then taken to Royal Jubilee Hospital for an assessment.
Deb Marshall with BC Ferries says while the details are entertaining, events like this put staff in danger and cost the company.

“While our crews are highly trained and they do tons and tons of different drills to prepare for emergencies, every time they get into a rescue boat, there is a risk. We had to launch two rescue boats — one off the Coastal Celebration, one off the Spirit of British Columbia — to initiate a search and rescue effort. That does put our crews at risk.

“The other issue is the cost that was incurred. We’re still adding it all up, but it would be the overtime costs for the two crews of both of those vessels. It would be the cost to recover the life raft, and any damage that might have been done to the life raft. It’s certainly not designed to be launched at 20 knots. We’ll have to re-certify the life raft and re-pack it.”

She adds there were 330 customers aboard the two ferries, all of whom were inconvenienced.
Charges of Break and Enter, Unlawfully in a Dwelling, and Mischief Under $5000 are being recommended against the man.
Marshall says BC Ferries is also pursuing charges. “It’s my understanding under the Canada Shipping Act it is illegal to tamper with any life-saving appliance. This is one aspect we will be looking at with the RCMP.”