Whale Watching Boat Sinks

[Dr_Phibes]

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Canadian authorities say at least three people died after a whale watching boat with 27 people on board sank off Vancouver Island.

The Joint Rescue Coordination Centre confirmed that the vessel made a mayday call shortly before 4 p.m. Sunday near Tofino, British Columbia.

Jenn Hamilton, a spokeswoman for British Columbia Emergency Health Services, said at least three were dead.

Hamilton said she did not have further details including nationalities of the deceased.

She didn't know how far off the coast of British Columbia the boat sank. Five ambulances were dispatched and many off duty paramedics went to the dock to help, she said.

There will be humour in this at the inquest. Mr. M.B. Dick to the witness stand. What did you observe?

[BSmack]

Did Rumplewife breach?

[Y2K]

OMG..A killer whale..

[Diego in Seattle]

At least five dead with one unaccounted for. One survivor is still in critical condition.



The tides are extreme up here, and might have played a part (it was low tide when the boat sank).

[smackaholic]

Talking about it on the news. Says it was calm. No idea why it happened, but, may have been mechanical issue. Or maybe the whales went moby dick on it. Can't imagine you'd last more than 20 minutes or so in that water. Sray might make it an hour or two though.

[Smackie Chan]

No idea why it happened

I'm thinking it hit the ice wall.

[Diego in Seattle]

Talking about it on the news. Says it was calm. No idea why it happened, but, may have been mechanical issue.

That's what I'm thinking. The engine perhaps went kaput, and the tidal currents pushed it near enough to the reef to damage the stern of the boat (no obvious damage to the bow in the pictures).

Or maybe the whales went moby dick on it.

Nope...not on a boat that big.

Can't imagine you'd last more than 20 minutes or so in that water.

That's about the size of it in 50º water.

[Y2K]

Did they at least get to see some whales before they went swimming?

They were looking for Orca's..those aren't whales. They were on a porpoise tour.

[Diego in Seattle]

Did they at least get to see some whales before they went swimming?

They were looking for Orca's..those aren't whales. They were on a porpoise tour.

Their website primarily promotes seeing grey whales, and says they only see orcas about every 2-3 weeks. When I go looking for orcas I go up to the San Juan Islands in the middle of summer, not way up in BC.

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

Don't rule out foul play by the Kraken...

[smackaholic]

Did they at least get to see some whales before they went swimming?

They were looking for Orca's..those aren't whales. They were on a porpoise tour.

Their website primarily promotes seeing grey whales, and says they only see orcas about every 2-3 weeks. When I go looking for orcas I go up to the San Juan Islands in the middle of summer, not way up in BC.

Isn't it easier to hit the local vfw hall like Dins? Don't even need a boat.

[Left Seater]

What happens when global warming causes the ice wall to melt and all the water spills over the edge?

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

At least this thread isn't AP the Rod Of God thread.

[poptart]

Too bad somebody couldn't have tilted the earth to where those people would have just slid into shore.

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

I'd sooner expect a guitar solo from that guy before LTS_TRD2...

[Derron]

The word from some people in the know, (CG) is that all the lemmings were on one side of the boat looking a some whales and one of them silly old rogue waves came along and got them broadside and over she went.

Looked like an older converted boat with these "decks" on them. Get the weight up higher and not have enough ballast in the right spot and she will flip right over.