Twenty years after the sinking of the Queen of the North, a former chief govt of BC Ferries says the tragedy stays one of many darkest moments within the firm’s historical past.
In an interview with International Information, former president and CEO David Hahn recalled the evening the ferry struck Gill Island in Wright Sound and sank, saying the scenario was “bewildering” and “very scary” as particulars slowly emerged.
The vessel went down at about 1:40 a.m. on March 22, 2006, with 101 passengers and crew on board. Ninety-nine folks had been rescued, however two passengers, Gerald Foisy and Shirley Rosette, had been by no means discovered.
Hahn mentioned the preliminary hours following the sinking had been marked by restricted data because of the distant location.
Lifeboats from the Queen of the North sit on the deck of the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Sir Wilfrid Laurier whereas en path to Prince Rupert, B.C., on March 22, 2006.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Richard Lam
“It was numerous chaos by way of making an attempt to get good data,” he mentioned. “It took (till) about… 4 within the morning… to determine what went on.”
Members of the Hartley Bay neighborhood had been among the many first to reply, utilizing fishing boats to assist rescue passengers from the water.
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“They did an excellent job… they saved numerous lives,” Hahn mentioned, including their actions helped cut back the concern and uncertainty confronted by these on board.
Crew members of the Canadian Coast Guard vessel Sir Wilfrid Laurier stands subsequent to lifeboats utilized by passengers on board the Queen of the North ferry which sank in Prince Rupert, B.C., March 22, 2006.
(CP PHOTO/Richard Lam)
An investigation later decided the ferry did not make a required course correction, citing human error and a lack of situational consciousness.
Hahn mentioned as soon as it grew to become clear the vessel had not altered course, “you form of knew the place this was going to go,” although the precise purpose stays unclear.
“We’ll by no means know 100 per cent why there wasn’t a course change,” he mentioned.
A lifejacket from the Queen of the North ferry floats within the waters of Wright Sound close to Hartley Bay, B.C., on this March 22, 2006 file picture.
(CP PHOTO/Richard Lam)
The catastrophe led to sweeping modifications inside BC Ferries, together with a renewed concentrate on security practices and the introduction of recent packages geared toward stopping related incidents.
Wanting again 20 years later, Hahn mentioned the impression of the tragedy nonetheless lingers.
“It’s disturbing,” he mentioned. “It’s in all probability the darkest day within the historical past of the corporate.”
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