08/16/2022
ADVENTURE SEEKERS PLEASE BE AWARE
Please note that I know this company has many, many 5 star reviews, however this is a topic never discussed prior to taking these adventures.
My family and I took a tour with Five Star last September 2021. Before boarding we were made to sign a waiver and given safety instructions. Once on board the operator of the vessel reminded us that we must remain either at the rear of the vessel while at full speed, or in the cabin. We were on the Salish Shadow, a 12 passenger boat. Once we arrived at a site with other boats watching a small pod of orcas, we were allowed to move to the front of the boat to take pictures. My son and I moved up and took pics until the orcas disappeared. After about 10 minutes, the operator yelled he was going to find hump backs and hit the gas. At no point did he instruct us to move or that we were in danger. The boat lurched forward and within seconds we slammed into 6-8 foot swells of a ship that had passed some time ago. We hit the waves sending us into the air, including my wife in the cabin of the boat. We his two waves, causing us to be thrown into the air. I suffered hip, ribs, internal injury, head, neck and a FRACTURED SPINE. The operator was not paying attention to what he was doing.
It took an hour to get back to shore where I was extricated from the boat and taken to hospital. The operator and his crew mate disappeared from the shore, my wife could not find them. Since then, I have written to them for some assistance and a apology. What I received was a letter from their lawyer asking for medical history for two years prior to the accident. For what, to see if they could find something to blame me for?
PLEASE NOTE THAT IN BC, YOU HAVE NO RECOURSE WHEN YOU SIGN A WAIVER, EVEN WHEN THERE IS NEGLIGENCE ON BEHALF OF THE OPERATOR, AS IN THIS CASE.
Yes this is my fifth review as the owner attacks with lies and defends his unsafe company with negligent drivers. I will continue to slam this company until he admits their mistakes, no money, just admit your negligence. Read all his attacks on the negative reviews. NOTHING is ever their fault. EVER
Since updating this four times, another family reached out to me. A grandfather was in the same vessel two years ago and was injured saving his grandson from going overboard as the vessel took off really fast while they were at the front of the boat. The driver took off without warning, AGAIN! The company offered no help or even admitted to him that the driver was negligent.
