Hartley Bay Community Reflects on Ferry Disaster Aid
As the 20th anniversary of the Queen of the North ferry sinking approaches, the community of Hartley Bay is revisiting the aftermath of the tragedy. Following their heroic efforts to rescue passengers, BC Ferries expressed gratitude by gifting items to the community. However, many of these gifts have not stood the test of time, raising concerns among residents about their quality and utility.
Gifts from BC Ferries: A Mixed Legacy
In the wake of the Queen of the North disaster, BC Ferries presented the Hartley Bay community with several gifts as a token of appreciation for their critical role in the rescue operation. Marven Robinson, a councillor for the Gitga’at First Nation, revealed that one of the gifts—a playground—was condemned within a year of installation, while another, a rescue boat, was deemed unusable shortly after its arrival.
Robinson recounted that the community was promised a rigid hull inflatable boat, but instead received a life boat from the Queen of the North. “We had to bail it out every day,” he explained. The community ultimately decided to dispose of the boat due to its poor condition. “We just crunched it with an excavator and threw it in the garbage,” Robinson added.
The playground equipment, which was intended to provide recreational opportunities for local children, also fell short of expectations. Shortly after its installation, the community received a letter stating that the playground was condemned due to the materials used in its construction. “Not too long after it was installed, it was condemned,” Robinson said, highlighting the disappointment felt by residents.
BC Ferries acknowledged the community’s contributions during the rescue and expressed gratitude for their support. However, when questioned about the condition of the gifts, the company stated that they could not locate detailed records regarding the specific equipment provided. “We take these concerns seriously and are looking into them to better understand what may have occurred,” BC Ferries said in an email statement.
Community Resilience and Reflection
Despite the shortcomings of the gifts, the people of Hartley Bay continue to reflect on their role during the Queen of the North incident. The community’s actions during the crisis showcased their resilience and commitment to helping others in need. In the aftermath, there was a push to honor Hartley Bay by naming one of BC Ferries’ new vessels after the community. However, David Hahn, the president of BC Ferries at the time, stated that this idea did not align with the company’s marketing strategy.
Instead, BC Ferries opted for other initiatives, including repairs to the community’s intricate boardwalk system and the purchase of new playground equipment for the local school. While these efforts were intended to be meaningful, the reality of the gifts has left many in Hartley Bay feeling let down.
As the anniversary of the Queen of the North sinking approaches, the community is not only remembering the tragedy but also reflecting on the lessons learned and the importance of quality support in times of crisis. The stories shared by residents like Marven Robinson serve as a reminder of the enduring spirit of Hartley Bay and its commitment to helping others, even in the face of disappointment.
