The Nanaimo-Vancouver fast ferry service can now accommodate passengers who use wheelchairs.
Previously, federal regulations for high-speed craft mandated that people using wheelchairs had to move to a seat during Hullo ferries' sailings, according to Steven Carroll, Hullo marine operations superintendent. Now, thanks to a collaborative lobbying effort, spearheaded by Duncan resident Jamie Coleman, elected officials and the ferry company, Transport Canada has made an allowance.
Coleman wrote to his MLA and MP, filed a human rights complaint, and got in contact with Hullo's chief executive officer Alistair Caddick about making accessibility improvements.
As a result, on each Hullo ferry, there will be one space where wheelchair users can be strapped in for the sailing, and three accessible seats. En route to the Mainland to catch tonight's Vancouver Canucks hockey game, Coleman was the first passenger ever to take advantage of the accessibility measure. The previous method was uncomfortable and he didn't feel safe.
"My chair is just what I'm in all the time,” he said. "I'm comfortable and also, my chair has straps, I can strap in if I need to … I don't have any feeling or function from my collarbone down. I have no chest muscles, so I kind of flop around. It's nice to be comfortable in a seat that's made for me."
Carroll said Hullo applied to Transport Canada, with the support of Bureau Veritas, third party hull and machinery insurer, for an exemption.
“We were able to prove, through a safety case, that the provisions that we've put in place with the Q'Straint system, which is used on road vehicles, rail, aircraft and other modes of transport in Canada and around the world, is as safe, if not safer, than other designed chairs that are there," he said.
He added that Hullo's application is precedent-setting as the company is the first high-speed craft operator to receive such an exemption.
Clad in orange and black, lifelong Philadelphia Flyers fan Coleman will not be cheering for the Canucks tonight, but does feel slightly divided, as Canucks' head coach Rick Tocchet is a Flyers alumnus.
"I had a Tocchet jersey growing up, so it's hurtful for me to see him behind the bench for Canucks blue, for sure," said Coleman with a laugh.
Transport Canada was contacted, but was not able to provide comment by publication.
