On 25 October 2015, at approximately 1500 Pacific Daylight Time, the passenger vessel Leviathan II was on a whale-watching excursion with 27 people on board when it capsized off Plover Reefs in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia.
Investigations conducted by the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) are complex – an accident is never caused by just one factor. The October 2015 accident off Plover Reefs in Clayoquot Sound, British Columbia, was no exception.
22 March 2006 - At 0021, Queen of the North strikes Gil Island and sinks.
27 and 28 March 2006 - TSB oversees BC Ferries dive on vessel. Vessel found sitting upright on the bottom with bridge accessible.
31 March to 15 June 2006 - Investigation post-field phase, including follow-up witness interviews, passenger surveys, document collection, formulation of event timeline, and analysis of potential safety issues.
On 30 June 2005, while approaching berth No. 1 at Horseshoe Bay, the Queen of Oak Bay, owned and operated by British Columbia Ferry Services Inc. (BC Ferries), suffered loss of propulsion. As a result, the vessel lost steerageway, deviated off course and struck 28 pleasure craft berthed in the adjacent marina before running aground. There were no casualties; however, there was considerable damage to the pleasure craft and marina.
On September 12, 2005, the small fishing vessel Melina & Keith II, with eight persons on board, was hauling nets off Funk Island Bank, Newfoundland and Labrador. The vessel took on water through the side fishing door and subsequently capsized. Four persons were rescued and the body of a deceased crew member was recovered; three crew members are missing and presumed drowned.
On September 19, 2004, the small fishing vessel Ryan's Commander, weighing 149.4 gross tons, departed Bay de Verde, Newfoundland and Labrador, for a trip to its home port of St. Brendan's (Cottel Island), Newfoundland and Labrador. The trip was uneventful as the vessel proceeded on a northerly course.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada's (TSB) investigation into the capsizing of the small fishing vessel Ryan's Commander (M04N0086) has identified a recurring safety deficiency that warrants urgent remedial action.
Marine Investigation Report M03N0050
Fire on Vehicle Deck of the Ro-Ro Passenger Ferry
Joseph and Clara Smallwood
8 Nautical Miles South of Port aux Basques,
Newfoundland and Labrador
May 12, 2003
As a result of the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) investigation, significant action has already been taken by appropriate stakeholders to make marine transportation safer in Canada.
In July 2002, the TSB sent Marine Safety Advisory (MSA) 07/02 to Transport Canada (TC) indicating that steps should be taken to ensure that operators of passenger vessels conduct required safety briefings before departure and that the content and delivery of those briefings are in keeping with the intent of the regulation.
