On March 22, a B.C. ferry struck a rock and sank just north of Vancouver Island. Although initial reports claimed all passengers were safe, authorities later reported 2 individuals missing and presumed dead. This raises several questions about the safety of ferries. Although Washington state ferries are reportedly newer and safer, the lack of recordkeeping may lead to a similar assumption that all passengers are safe. For example, passengers who walk onto the ferry do not normally buy tickets and therefore, there is no passenger manifest. As a result, ferry authorities may not have the information necessary to determine if passengers are missing in the event of an emergency.
For more information, please see: Are you safe on ferries?
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