BC Ferries aims to lower underwater noise by 50% to reduce impacts on southern resident killer whales. Quieter ferries could be coming to B.C.'s coast, with BC Ferries partnering with the federal government on measures that aim to reduce its underwater noise by 50 per cent. Reducing noise from the ferries is just one measure the parties are looking at to help protect at-risk whales in B.C.'s waters. Others include addressing physical disturbance and vessel-cetacean strike risk. BC Ferries, Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada have agreed to quantify and reduce these risks, where feasible, by 2036, though no specific funding for any measures has been approved. While the southern resident killer whales are the focus of the agreement announcement, the framework outlines that the aim is also to protect fin whales, grey whales, harbour porpoises, humpback whales and three other killer whale populations - the northern residents, transients, and offshore. The company will be developing and maintaining an "Underwater Radiated Noise Management Plan" which will aim to reduce underwater ferry noise by 50 per cent through new ferries or retrofits. BC Ferries will also be researching, developing and deploying quieting technologies and maintenance and operational practices, work to reduce strike risk through a monitoring and mitigation framework, engage industry associations to share information and expertise, and conduct public education and outreach. "BC Ferries has a responsibility to connect customers and coastal communities while protecting the marine environment we all value," said Brian Anderson, interim president and Chief Executive Officer. "We have taken meaningful steps to reduce the impact of our operations on marine mammals and this agreement builds on that work. By collaborating with Transport Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, we can continue advancing quieter vessels, improved operational practices and measures to further reduce the risk of vessel strikes." Transport Canada will be providing expertise and advice and will be engaging internationally so that measures developed are informed by the International Maritime Organization and other forums. "This Conservation Agreement represents an important, shared commitment with BC Ferries and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to strengthen protection measures and encourage other industry partners to take collective action to support at-risk species in our waters," said Steven MacKinnon, minister of transport and leader of the government in the House of Commons. "This is intended to support work toward meaningful underwater-noise reductions in Southern Resident killer whale critical habitat, with the goal of contributing to conservation and recovery efforts while supporting the safe and efficient movement of people and goods." Fisheries and Oceans Canada will be providing expertise on the impacts of underwater noise and vessel strikes, as well as potential measures to reduce those impacts. "This collaborative agreement builds on enhanced federal management measures to protect Southern Resident killer whales, and broader Government efforts to manage threats to whales across Canada. Working to reduce underwater noise from ferries will further support our conservation and recovery efforts for Southern Resident killer whales", said Joanne Thompson, Minister of Fisheries. "Fisheries and Oceans Canada is committed to the conservation, survival, and recovery of aquatic species at risk and looks forward to working with BC Ferries and Transport Canada on advancing this agreement." The agreement to work on these measures was signed on Sept. 16, and the announcement comes just days after a BC Ferries vessel struck a humpback whale near the Sunshine Coast. The whale surfaced in front of the BC Ferries Queen of Surrey, "leaving the crew with very little time to react," BC Ferries said the day after the strike on Oct. 19. Days later, a dead humpback whale was found near where the strike occurred, and the deceased whale was later identified as Notcho. It has not been confirmed if this is the same whale that was struck by the BC Ferries vessel. After Notcho was first discovered deceased, the Marine Education and Resource Society (MERS) told CHEK News it wanted to see BC Ferries take more steps to avoid whale strikes. "It's really important to say that we recognise that nobody wants to hit a whale," Caitlin Birdsall, executive director of MERS said on Oct. 27. "Nobody does, and that it is really hard on those that are involved in these types types of incidents. And so we do have great empathy for that. However, there are multiple tools available right now and developing that can be implemented to give large vessel operators more situational awareness." One of those tools that MERS would like to see BC Ferries and other large vessels incorporate is using the Whale Report Alert System. Birdsall says there had been reports using the system of a humpback whale in the area prior to the whale strike. In addition to that system, Birdsall says large boats could use tools to detect whales acoustically or using infrared cameras. "Implementing slowdowns is also a really important one, both situationally, dynamically, or static slowdowns as well," she said. "And so, I think that certainly there can be situations where nothing more could be done, but we're not at that place yet."

BC Ferries CEO replaced amid review of services. Published 1:40 pm Monday, October 26, 2026 By Bailey Seymour/Peninsula News Review | Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... | BC Ferries' CEO Nicolas Jimenez has moved on for unspecified reasons, and BC Ferries' board says it initiated a leadership transition and launched a revitalization review. According to BC Ferries, Brian Anderson, vice president of strategy and planning, has been appointed as the interim CEO, while Dallyn Willis, executive vice president and chief financial officer, assumes responsibility for strategy and planning and leads the revitalization review with oversight from the board. "The ferry system is a lifeline for coastal residents and businesses, and critical to the province's economy. The review will define new ways to optimize the system and improve how BC Ferries delivers services for customers and coastal communities," noted a news release from BC Ferries. Under the Coastal Ferry Act, BC Ferries undergoes a regulatory review and contract discussions every four years to set limits on fares and establish required service levels. "The board thanks outgoing CEO Nicolas Jimenez for his contributions to BC Ferries and wishes him success in his future endeavours," noted the release. Jimenez was appointed as CEO in March 2023. Over his tenure, he has overseen price hikes and the controversial plan for a Chinese company to build four new major hybrid-electric vessels by spring 2029. Over the provincial election, the BC NDP was under fire from the Conservatives for overloaded routes, cancelled sailings and high fares. The new majority Conservative government has floated the idea of a B.C. Ferries Charter, which would set standards for reliability, on-time performance, capacity, affordability and customer service. BC Ferries says a formal search for a permanent successor to Jimenez will follow the review.

Nicolas Jimenez out as B.C. Ferries CEO. B.C. Ferries CEO is out. Michael John Lo / Times Colonist - Oct 26, 2026 / 2:27 pm | Story: 635744 Nicolas Jimenez is out as CEO of B.C. Ferries in a sudden "leadership transition" initiated by the B.C. Ferries board on Tuesday. Jimenez's ouster was announced in a statement by board chair Cathy McLay. Brian Anderson, the ferry company's vice president of strategy and planning, has been appointed interim CEO. Dallyn Willis, the company's executive vice-president and chief financial officer, will assume Anderson's responsibilities. McLay said Willis will also lead a review of B.C. Ferries to "address growing demands on the system and deliver safe, reliable services for customers and coastal communities." No reason for Jimenez's departure was given. "The Board thanks outgoing CEO Nicolas Jimenez for his contributions to BC Ferries and wishes him success in his future endeavours," said McLay. Jimenez took on the top job at B.C. Ferries in 2023 after spending nearly two decades in senior roles at ICBC, most recently as CEO. Jimenez became ICBC's CEO in 2018, the same year that David Eby - then serving as B.C.'s attorney general under John Horgan - promised major reforms at that organization. He became CEO of B.C. Ferries after Mark Collins was ousted from the position shortly after former NDP cabinet minister Joy MacPhail was appointed chair of B.C. Ferries' board.