Are they over paid? IMO - YES!!!!
For a brief comparison to relate not the job title, but the levels of responsibility, just take a look at the pay levels for World Leaders and compare that to the $400,000.00++ Salaries of the top BC Ferries Executives. USA President - $400,000, Canadian Prime Minister - $318,000, take a look at more of them, some of them make surprisingly small salaries.
Also check out the pay levels for the Premiers of Canada. And while you are comparing these $$$ amounts don't forget that the salaries for the BC Ferries Execs are paid by the BC Ferries Corp, which is partially subsidized by our tax dollars along with the very expensive ferry rates. How much does one really have to make on the backs of everyone that is just working really hard to just make a living. Our governments should be redirecting some of these funds back into our education system to "invest" in our future (by educating our youth), or put it into our health care system, instead of making a select few absolutely filthy rich. Or,,,, just don't worry about it, we will just raise the taxes some more, and then raise them some more, and on and on....
That's my rant for the day! As you can tell i'm just a bit JADED by the BCFC as a Corporation, nothing to do with the individuals that are on the decks - (kinda similar to the situation with DFO).