Quenn of the North Sinks!

**wedivebc** · 22nd March 2006, 14:56

A BC Ferry sank today off the northern BC coast
Ferry sinks off B.C. coast

PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. (CP) - The orderly rescue of dozens of people from a sinking ferry in the dead of night early Wednesday off B.C.'s north coast was nothing short of miraculous, the president of B.C. Ferries said Wednesday.

"Anytime you have a major incident and you have no one hurt or killed in this type of thing, I think you always think it's a miracle," David Hahn said. "You always think, thank God, and you (are) thankful for the crew. That's what they're trained to do. They've done their job once again."

Rescuers plucked dozens of people from lifeboats after The Queen of the North, sailing south on a 450-kilometre overnight trip from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy along what's known as B.C.'s Inside Passage, hit a rock just after 12:30 a.m. and sank in choppy seas and high winds.

All of the 101 people aboard - 42 crew members and 59 passengers - were rescued and accounted for.

Most of them were taken to a community centre in Hartley Bay where the town's residents brought them blankets and coffee; others were aboard the Coast Guard vessel the Sir Wilfrid Laurier. None were immediately available to speak to the media.

The 125-metre-long vessel was reported to be completely submerged about 135 kilometres from Prince Rupert after hitting Gil Island in Wright Sound, listing to one side and then sinking.

"It's unfortunate to lose the ship, but if that's the cost of having nobody really hurt or killed, then fine, I think we'll live with that," Hahn said.

Hahn and Premier Gordon Campbell were headed to Prince Rupert to meet with those rescued from the ferry. An eight-member team from the Transportation Safety Board was also due to be in the area later Wednesday.

Nicole Robinson, a receptionist at the nursing station in Hartley Bay, said she talked to several members of the ferry's crew who were sleeping when the ship began to take on water.

"They heard a loud bang like it grinded a bit and they said the cabin started filling with water," she said.

Some people were hurt, but not seriously, said Robinson. Many were "stunned."

"We've just had a few patients come and go, minor injuries. The community all got together with blankets; everybody's pretty cold but they're all down at a community hall," Robinson said.

Hartley Bay resident Wally Bolton, helping out at the village cultural centre where the ferry evacuees were taken, said a medivac helicopter was taking some passengers with minor injuries from Hartley Bay to Prince Rupert.

"I know there's one head injury and I think there's a sprained wrist and a case of high blood pressure," Bolton said. "All the rest of the other people are OK."

Bolton said the evacuees were shaken and tired.

Rescuers were on the scene soon after the boat hit the rock, said Capt. Leah Byrne of the Search and Rescue Centre in Victoria.

"The joint rescue co-ordination centre dispatched a large number of assets to the scene, including a cormorant helicopter and buffalo aircraft," she said.

Shelby Robinson, 13, said the entire village of Hartley Bay, with about 200 residents, pitched in when the distress call came in.

"I stayed here to get ready for them when they came in, get blankets ready and everything," she said.

Robinson confirmed fishermen from the isolated village rushed out to help evacuate the sinking ferry.

"Most of the guys went out and got their boats running right away and they took people in by groups," she said, adding witness said the ferry was listing to one side.

Seas were reported to be choppy and winds were blowing at about 75 kilometres per hour.

"From what we hear, it took about an hour for the ship to sink so most of the people did manage to get onto lifeboats," Byrne said. "There was an orderly evacuation of personnel from the vessel, including passengers and crew."

According to the B.C. Ferries website, the ship was built in Germany in 1969 and refitted in 2001. It can hold up to 700 people and 115 cars.

The book The Ships of British Columbia says B.C. Ferries bought the boat for $13.8 million in 1974 and named it the Queen of Surrey. The ferry was retired in 1976 until it was decided to put her on the Queen Charlotte run in 1980. More than $10 million was spent to prepare her for her days as The Queen of the North.

A list of some recent accidents involving B.C. Ferries:

June 30, 2005: Ferry Queen of Oak Bay loses power as it enters the Horseshoe Bay terminal at West Vancouver, slamming into a nearby marina and crushing 22 boats. There were no injuries.

Sept. 14, 2000: Ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island hits a 10-metre power boat outside the Swartz Bay ferry terminal near Victoria. Two people on the power boat are killed.

Nov. 7, 1995: Ferry Mayne Queen crashes into private marina on Bowen Island, damaging several moored boats. Blame is placed on mechanical or human error in transferring control between two consoles as ferry left dock.

Aug. 13, 1992: Two people are killed at the Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo when the ferry Queen of New Westminister sailed from the terminal as a van was driving across the ramp leading to the ship's upper deck and plunged 15 metres into the water.

March 12, 1992: B.C. Ferries vessel en route to Nanaimo slams into Japanese coal freighter Shinwa Maru shortly after leaving the Tsawwassen ferry terminal south of Vancouver. Seventeen ferry passengers injured.

Feb. 6, 1992: Private high-speed catamaran passenger ferry Royal Vancouver collides with B.C. Ferries' Queen of Saanich in early-morning fog in Active Pass. Some 23 Royal Vancouver passengers injured. Inquiry blames fast ferry for not tracking bigger car ferry on radar.

August 1985: Ferry Queen of Cowichan runs over pleasure boat near Horseshoe Bay terminal in West Vancouver, killing three people.

***schford*** · 22nd March 2006, 14:59

I hope its not poor taste to wonder what depth she sank in

**trob09** · 22nd March 2006, 15:06

Quote: (Originally Posted by schford)

I hope its not poor taste to wonder what depth she sank in

If it is, you'll have company in the poor-taste corner. I was wondering the same.

Drmike · 22nd March 2006, 15:17

I hear there was a guy on board whos next door neigbours brother used to be in the territorial army - so lucky the wreck didnt go down in the uk as it will probably have been designated a war grave and you wouldnt be allowed to dive it

Just hope the uk wreck huggers dont make it to asia

**wedivebc** · 22nd March 2006, 15:33

Quote: (Originally Posted by schford)

I hope its not poor taste to wonder what depth she sank in

It was absolutely the second thing I thought of after "was everyone OK"

you sick puppy

Explorer · 22nd March 2006, 17:24

Glad to hear that all of the 101 people aboard - 42 crew members and 59 passengers - were rescued and accounted for.

Now, it's time to get the charts out and plot the course.

**wedivebc** · 22nd March 2006, 17:55

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

Glad to hear that all of the 101 people aboard - 42 crew members and 59 passengers - were rescued and accounted for.

Now, it's time to get the charts out and plot the course.

How long would it take your zodiac to get to Hartley Bay from Port Hardy? My gear is packed and ready.

Explorer · 22nd March 2006, 19:36

Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc)

How long would it take your zodiac to get to Hartley Bay from Port Hardy? My gear is packed and ready.

Oh, I wish Dave. It's the buzz at the dive shop this morning already. Need some more particulars. Commercial boys might be there already.

Wait to see what happens. If they leave it and it is in the depths the Estonia lays in, might have to arrange something in the near future.

Humm, what about salvage rights?

**wedivebc** · 22nd March 2006, 20:00

Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer)

Oh, I wish Dave. It's the buzz at the dive shop this morning already. Need some more particulars. Commercial boys might be there already.

Wait to see what happens. If they leave it and it is in the depths the Estonia lays in, might have to arrange something in the near future.

Humm, what about salvage rights?

I figure we could show up with some official looking jackets maybe "BC Ferries dive team" badge or something, look like we own the place and see how close we can get

Explorer · 22nd March 2006, 21:52

Dave,

Is this the area where the Queen of the North hit the rock off Gil Island in Wright Sound?

Map5.jpg

22nd March 2006, 14:56	#1 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,337	Queen of the North Sinks! A BC Ferry sank today off the northern BC coast Ferry sinks off B.C. coast PRINCE RUPERT, B.C. (CP) - The orderly rescue of dozens of people from a sinking ferry in the dead of night early Wednesday off B.C.'s north coast was nothing short of miraculous, the president of B.C. Ferries said Wednesday. "Anytime you have a major incident and you have no one hurt or killed in this type of thing, I think you always think it's a miracle," David Hahn said. "You always think, thank God, and you (are) thankful for the crew. That's what they're trained to do. They've done their job once again." Rescuers plucked dozens of people from lifeboats after The Queen of the North, sailing south on a 450-kilometre overnight trip from Prince Rupert to Port Hardy along what's known as B.C.'s Inside Passage, hit a rock just after 12:30 a.m. and sank in choppy seas and high winds. All of the 101 people aboard - 42 crew members and 59 passengers - were rescued and accounted for. Most of them were taken to a community centre in Hartley Bay where the town's residents brought them blankets and coffee; others were aboard the Coast Guard vessel the Sir Wilfrid Laurier. None were immediately available to speak to the media. The 125-metre-long vessel was reported to be completely submerged about 135 kilometres from Prince Rupert after hitting Gil Island in Wright Sound, listing to one side and then sinking. "It's unfortunate to lose the ship, but if that's the cost of having nobody really hurt or killed, then fine, I think we'll live with that," Hahn said. Hahn and Premier Gordon Campbell were headed to Prince Rupert to meet with those rescued from the ferry. An eight-member team from the Transportation Safety Board was also due to be in the area later Wednesday. Nicole Robinson, a receptionist at the nursing station in Hartley Bay, said she talked to several members of the ferry's crew who were sleeping when the ship began to take on water. "They heard a loud bang like it grinded a bit and they said the cabin started filling with water," she said. Some people were hurt, but not seriously, said Robinson. Many were "stunned." "We've just had a few patients come and go, minor injuries. The community all got together with blankets; everybody's pretty cold but they're all down at a community hall," Robinson said. Hartley Bay resident Wally Bolton, helping out at the village cultural centre where the ferry evacuees were taken, said a medivac helicopter was taking some passengers with minor injuries from Hartley Bay to Prince Rupert. "I know there's one head injury and I think there's a sprained wrist and a case of high blood pressure," Bolton said. "All the rest of the other people are OK." Bolton said the evacuees were shaken and tired. Rescuers were on the scene soon after the boat hit the rock, said Capt. Leah Byrne of the Search and Rescue Centre in Victoria. "The joint rescue co-ordination centre dispatched a large number of assets to the scene, including a cormorant helicopter and buffalo aircraft," she said. Shelby Robinson, 13, said the entire village of Hartley Bay, with about 200 residents, pitched in when the distress call came in. "I stayed here to get ready for them when they came in, get blankets ready and everything," she said. Robinson confirmed fishermen from the isolated village rushed out to help evacuate the sinking ferry. "Most of the guys went out and got their boats running right away and they took people in by groups," she said, adding witness said the ferry was listing to one side. Seas were reported to be choppy and winds were blowing at about 75 kilometres per hour. "From what we hear, it took about an hour for the ship to sink so most of the people did manage to get onto lifeboats," Byrne said. "There was an orderly evacuation of personnel from the vessel, including passengers and crew." According to the B.C. Ferries website, the ship was built in Germany in 1969 and refitted in 2001. It can hold up to 700 people and 115 cars. The book The Ships of British Columbia says B.C. Ferries bought the boat for $13.8 million in 1974 and named it the Queen of Surrey. The ferry was retired in 1976 until it was decided to put her on the Queen Charlotte run in 1980. More than $10 million was spent to prepare her for her days as The Queen of the North. A list of some recent accidents involving B.C. Ferries: June 30, 2005: Ferry Queen of Oak Bay loses power as it enters the Horseshoe Bay terminal at West Vancouver, slamming into a nearby marina and crushing 22 boats. There were no injuries. Sept. 14, 2000: Ferry Spirit of Vancouver Island hits a 10-metre power boat outside the Swartz Bay ferry terminal near Victoria. Two people on the power boat are killed. Nov. 7, 1995: Ferry Mayne Queen crashes into private marina on Bowen Island, damaging several moored boats. Blame is placed on mechanical or human error in transferring control between two consoles as ferry left dock. Aug. 13, 1992: Two people are killed at the Departure Bay terminal in Nanaimo when the ferry Queen of New Westminister sailed from the terminal as a van was driving across the ramp leading to the ship's upper deck and plunged 15 metres into the water. March 12, 1992: B.C. Ferries vessel en route to Nanaimo slams into Japanese coal freighter Shinwa Maru shortly after leaving the Tsawwassen ferry terminal south of Vancouver. Seventeen ferry passengers injured. Feb. 6, 1992: Private high-speed catamaran passenger ferry Royal Vancouver collides with B.C. Ferries' Queen of Saanich in early-morning fog in Active Pass. Some 23 Royal Vancouver passengers injured. Inquiry blames fast ferry for not tracking bigger car ferry on radar. August 1985: Ferry Queen of Cowichan runs over pleasure boat near Horseshoe Bay terminal in West Vancouver, killing three people. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die Last edited by wedivebc : 22nd March 2006 at 17:16. Reason: can't spell
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22nd March 2006, 14:59	#2 (permalink)
*schford* Despotic Overlord Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: London, UK Posts: 3,660	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! I hope its not poor taste to wonder what depth she sank in __________________ Bailout and Kit Management account for Murphy's Law The only bad question is one you did not ask and later wish you had. Use of Rebreather World is subject to the Rebreather World Terms & Conditions of Use
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22nd March 2006, 15:06	#3 (permalink)
trob09 . Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 685	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Quote: (Originally Posted by schford) I hope its not poor taste to wonder what depth she sank in If it is, you'll have company in the poor-taste corner. I was wondering the same.
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22nd March 2006, 15:17	#4 (permalink)
Drmike Custom Title Allowed! Current Rebreather/s: MK 15.X Ouroboros Other CCR Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Inspiration Classic Other CCR Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 3,062	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! I hear there was a guy on board whos next door neigbours brother used to be in the territorial army - so lucky the wreck didnt go down in the uk as it will probably have been designated a war grave and you wouldnt be allowed to dive it Just hope the uk wreck huggers dont make it to asia __________________ Get a girlfriend you sad twat - a Rebreather is an unfaithful mistress - dont blind yourself to her faults just because she goes down on you Last edited by Drmike : 22nd March 2006 at 15:20.
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22nd March 2006, 15:33	#5 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,337	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Quote: (Originally Posted by schford) I hope its not poor taste to wonder what depth she sank in It was absolutely the second thing I thought of after "was everyone OK" you sick puppy __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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22nd March 2006, 17:24	#6 (permalink)
Explorer Be vewy vewy quiet.... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 748	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Glad to hear that all of the 101 people aboard - 42 crew members and 59 passengers - were rescued and accounted for. Now, it's time to get the charts out and plot the course. __________________ TRAIN WRECKED.....
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22nd March 2006, 17:55	#7 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,337	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) Glad to hear that all of the 101 people aboard - 42 crew members and 59 passengers - were rescued and accounted for. Now, it's time to get the charts out and plot the course. How long would it take your zodiac to get to Hartley Bay from Port Hardy? My gear is packed and ready. __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
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22nd March 2006, 19:36	#8 (permalink)
Explorer Be vewy vewy quiet.... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 748	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Quote: (Originally Posted by wedivebc) How long would it take your zodiac to get to Hartley Bay from Port Hardy? My gear is packed and ready. Oh, I wish Dave. It's the buzz at the dive shop this morning already. Need some more particulars. Commercial boys might be there already. Wait to see what happens. If they leave it and it is in the depths the Estonia lays in, might have to arrange something in the near future. Humm, what about salvage rights? __________________ TRAIN WRECKED.....
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22nd March 2006, 20:00	#9 (permalink)
wedivebc FIGJAM Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Other CCR Other Rebreather/s: Not Bought Yet Inspiration Classic Sport Kiss Other CCR Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Vancouver Island BC Canada Posts: 1,337	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Quote: (Originally Posted by Explorer) Oh, I wish Dave. It's the buzz at the dive shop this morning already. Need some more particulars. Commercial boys might be there already. Wait to see what happens. If they leave it and it is in the depths the Estonia lays in, might have to arrange something in the near future. Humm, what about salvage rights? I figure we could show up with some official looking jackets maybe "BC Ferries dive team" badge or something, look like we own the place and see how close we can get __________________ Cheers, Dave.... Man is the only animal burdened with the knowledge he will eventually die
(Offline)

22nd March 2006, 21:52	#10 (permalink)
Explorer Be vewy vewy quiet.... Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 748	Re: Quenn of the North Sinks! Dave, Is this the area where the Queen of the North hit the rock off Gil Island in Wright Sound? Map5.jpg __________________ TRAIN WRECKED.....
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