Ship deck hand Edmond Leung

BC Ferries hosted a series of open houses allowing the public an early preview of its new ship, Coastal Renaissance. The vessel will officially commence service on the Departure Bay – Horseshoe Bay route in mid-March upon completion of crew training.

“BC Ferries is proud to showcase Coastal Renaissance and give the public an opportunity to see the many outstanding features this vessel has to offer,” said David Hahn, BC Ferries’ President and CEO. “Just as the name of the vessel indicates, Coastal Renaissance signifies a new beginning for BC Ferries. This vessel is unlike anything British Columbians have known in the past and we invite our customers to experience the difference for themselves at one of the open houses.”

Coastal Renaissance, the first of three new Super-C class ships in the BC Ferries fleet, opened its doors last week to over 500 Vancouver Board of Trade members and guests. 

Ship deck hand Edmond Leung shared his experiences working the past 34 years for BC Ferries. Leung arrived in Vancouver in 1973 from Hong Kong and joined his grandparents and relatives.

At age of 20, Leung decided to work for BC Ferries and started in catering service. From that job, he literarily “rose from the ranks” from ship crew to ship deck hand. Determination and hard work coupled with training in search and rescue, fire fighting and other maritime related courses enabled him to become a certified deck hand officer.

“I enjoy working for BC Ferries,” Leung told The Asian Pacific Post.”My company provides a good package of benefits and salary. Apart from the usual dental and medical plans, BC Ferries offer retirement pension programs to its employees.”

Leung described his work responsibilities, typical day aboard ship, ports that he visited; the fun and challenges of working on the ship; and how to get a job working aboard ship in terms of qualifications and/or requirements. 

He said that ship deck hand should be an energetic, customer-minded individual acting as a primary point-of-contact to the public. Deck hands represent the ship in a professional and courteous manner while playing a critical role in vessel operation and safety, loading and unloading vehicles and passenger traffic, and vessel maintenance. Must haves include a Marine Emergency Duties certificates and knowledge in safe work practices and seamanship. BC Ferries is always on the lookout for customer focused, hard working people interested in positions ranging from vessel and terminal operations to professional, business and support roles.

Whether working behind the scenes, onboard ships or in the terminals, each individual is a key contributor to BC Ferries’ success.

If you want an exciting career visit the website: www.bcferries.com or visit their office at 112 Fort Street, Victoria. B.C. and a working environment with some of the most beautiful scenery  in the world, BC Ferries has both.  For more information see: www.bcferries.com or visit their office at 112 Fort Street, Victoria. B.C.