“Never in 100 years would we think that someone who grew up in Telkwa would be a ferry captain.” - Captain Lori Bartlett-Tribbeck.
Lori is the senior captain on the ferry, Northern Adventure, which runs from Prince Rupert, across Hecate Strait and into a landing at Skidegate on Haida Gwaii.
She went to Smithers Secondary School to the end of Grade 10 when her family moved to Victoria. Lori started with BC Ferries as a summer student in food services as a catering attendant.
Lori’s twin sister, Jodi Bartlett-Gaudet, also worked with BC Ferries in a summer job as a catering attendant and then became a marine engineer. Jodi is the only woman senior chief engineer at BC Ferries
Lori was our captain on a recent crossing to Haida Gwaii and she invited Kathy Ismond and me up onto the bridge. Senior captain is not just overseeing the safe navigation of the ship but involves administration, budget and the responsibility for the safety of all passengers and crew.
There are 10 women captains out of 150 in the BC Ferries fleet. Only three of those women are senior captains.
As announced when we boarded the ferry, every crew member is trained in marine rescue. Kathy asked about adventures they have had at sea while aboard the ship. Lori replied with a good one.
On a cold March morning at 4:30 a.m., the crew spotted a flare and launched a rescue boat. Two fishermen were in a lifeboat. Their boat had caught fire and sank. The crew's job training in emergencies and marine rescue made the ending to that story a happy one.
Lori said if you have to look out of an office window, she has the best office in the entire world. They see whales, especially humpbacks now, but one of her most precious memories is looking out her window on the bridge and seeing a kermode bear walking along a beach.
Lori got her captain's certificate while working her way up through the ranks at BC Ferries. The company provided support and opportunities to advance.
The Marine Industry is growing, and you can go to college for a formal cadet program to get into it. The job is ever-changing with new technology, and Lori has seen many improvements in the past 20 years with electronic charts and GPS.
When we were waiting at the exit to the car deck a young deckhand who had only worked for two weeks said, "Captain Lori, she is awesome."