For Immediate Release
March 31, 2026

BC Ferries receives Lifesaving Society award for Denman Island water rescue

Summary:

• BC Ferries has received a Water Safety Excellence Award from the Lifesaving Society of BC at the 114th Annual Commonwealth Awards for Honour & Rescue.
• This year’s award recognizes BC Ferries employees’ swift and professional response to a water rescue at the Deman Island West terminal after a truck with two occupants entered the water.
• This is the second-consecutive year BC Ferries has been recognized by the Lifesaving Society of BC.

VICTORIA, BC - BC Ferries has once again been honoured with a Water Safety Excellence Award from the Lifesaving Society of BC — this time in recognition of the swift actions of BC Ferries employees during a water rescue at the Denman Island ferry terminal.

“BC Ferries continues to provide leadership and safety in British Columbia’s waters, as their vessels and staff enable people to travel throughout our province,” the Lifesaving Society said at the 114th Annual Commonwealth Awards for Honour & Rescue. “Their staff training enables them to assist in a variety of usual and unusual incidents, stepping in to rescue people in need.”

The Society highlighted an incident that took place on the morning of November 15, 2024, when a pickup truck travelling down the hill toward the Denman Island West terminal went through a shore railing between two berths and plunged into the water. Crew members from the Baynes Sound Connector who were loading the vessel, including Master Gary Moult, Chief Officer Brice Daniels and deckhands Kazumi Kobayashi and Grant Cyz, responded immediately.

The crew pulled one of the truck’s occupants to safety after they climbed onto the vehicle’s roof. At that point, they became aware there was a second person still inside the truck, which was sinking quickly. With the help of bystander Cole Howey, the second occupant was rescued from the vehicle and pulled from the water using a life ring. Emergency services personnel provided medical care shortly thereafter.

Though it was his day off, Terminal Services Assistant Fred Pugh arrived at the terminal quickly and remained on site to provide critical support for the team, assist with community updates and ensure the site remained safe during the lengthy vehicle recovery and investigation process.

“We’re deeply grateful to the Lifesaving Society for this recognition, and incredibly proud of our employees who responded without hesitation that day,” said Melanie Lucia, BC Ferries’ Vice-President of Customer Experience. “Their actions reflect the professionalism, teamwork and care for others that define BC Ferries – not just in extraordinary moments like this, but in the way they show up for coastal communities every day.”

The Annual Commonwealth Awards for Honour & Rescue recognize the efforts of volunteers and celebrate those who heroically put their lives on the line during water rescues. The Water Safety Excellence Award recognizes those who maintain high standards of safety on the water.

Kobayashi attended a March 28 ceremony in Vancouver to accept the award on behalf of BC Ferries. She said when the incident happened she and her colleagues simply reacted quickly to do what needed to be done. As the first aid attendant that day, she immediately ensured crucial supplies, including blankets, were at the ready to attend to the truck’s passengers once they were out of the cold water.

“You don’t think about recognition in moments like that — you rely on your training and your teammates and focus on helping people get to safety,” she said. “I’m proud of how our team and those nearby worked together.”

For his role in the Denman Island rescue, Howey received the Silver Medal for Bravery, an award given to individuals who demonstrate exceptional bravery and selflessness in lifesaving situations.

BC Ferries was also recognized by the Lifesaving Society last year for a January 2025 incident near the Tsawwassen terminal in which crew responded swiftly to a report of a missing passenger, locating them in the water and bringing them safely to shore.

This year’s Commonwealth Honour and Rescue Awards welcomed approximately 200 guests, including more than a dozen elected officials, some of whom helped present awards and shared their personal stories and experiences with water safety and rescues.