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Ferry passengers must show ID


Passengers travelling on the ferry between Skidegate and Prince Rupert will soon have to provide some kind of identification before boarding, says Mark Stefanson, BC Ferries vice-president of communications.
Mr. Stefanson said BC Ferries needs to know exactly who is on the ferry, and the ID requirement is part of improvements the corporation has been making in that area since the Queen of the North sank last year.
"It is part of tightening up our manifest system," Mr. Stefanson said. "We've been trying to phase it in, and this is just another phase."
Staff will start checking ID within the next three weeks, he said.
BC Ferries wants passengers to show photo ID, such as a driver's licence. Passengers without photo ID, like most children, can show some other kind of identification such as a Medicare card, Mr. Stefanson said.
The crew was confused about exactly how many passengers were aboard the Queen of the North because the list, or manifest, was inaccurate and at first thought everyone had gotten off the ship safely. But it later became evident that two passengers were missing, and they have never been found.
"In the north, people have given other people's names, for whatever reason," Mr. Stefanson said. "We need to have a manifest that is completely accurate."