Ferry unloading: a matter of luck

Does BC Ferries have a plan for how they load cars onto the Fulford and Vesuvius ferries? If I’m in line early and still get put on the outside lane, then what’s the point of getting there early? My question is: Does BC Ferries have a “first there, first off” policy?
— Erin Jory, Salt Spring Island


BC Ferries confirms that at the Fulford ferry terminal, they do load vehicles on a first-come, first-on basis.


But! Just because you drive on the ferry first does not mean you will drive off first — highly annoying for those who make an effort to arrive early, thinking it will get them ahead of the game.


BC Ferries does, however, have a method behind what many may assume to be willy-nilly, loading/unloading madness.


BC Ferries’ goal is to stow the large/heavy vehicles in the centre lanes because it makes for a neater, safer arrangement of vehicles on deck.


“It is easier to keep semis, etc. in a straight line,” spokesperson Deborah Marshall says, “rather than have them go out to the sides where they will not be straight and take up more lane space — ending up closer to the vehicle next to them.”


In addition, ferry crews organize vehicles into blocks (block stowing) versus filling each lane, one at a time. This is for safety; to avoid creating “pinch points” where long lines end up placing vehicles too close to one another and to minimize car doors being opened into oncoming traffic.


“If we load long lanes,” Marshall says, “people will not see a car loading next to them and they feel safe to get out. If they do not check they can open their door into oncoming traffic.”


So even if all vehicles in line were itsy-bitsy Smart Cars, they would still be loaded in a block formation instead of long lines, which would be the only way to accommodate a “first on, first off” policy.


When unloading, crews make an effort to let the smaller, “underheight” vehicles off first so they are not stuck behind the larger, slower vehicles or tempted to try to squeeze past them.


Unfortunately, there is no beating “ferry time” on this one. Getting to exit first is largely a matter of luck.


The final word from Marshall: “Our crews discharge our ships as expeditiously as possible. If we tried to enforce a ‘first-on, first-off’ procedure it would take more time to load and unload.”


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