Transportation Board says still many months before final report on the Queen of the North is released

The first draft has been completed, but the final report with its much anticipated answers and recommendations regarding the Queen of the North tragedy won’t be ready for a while yet. A decision that is sure to register a fair amount of disappointment along the North Coast for those hoping for a final bit of closure on the sinking.

Before the public will get a chance to see the final product, the Transportation Board will present copies to confidential list of "designated reviewers", who will have a chance to look over the findings and offer up their final comments on the deliberations. It's expected that BC Ferries, and members of the vessels crew will be on that list of designated reviewers.

For those that were hoping for the definitive word on the tragedy of almost a year ago, the wait will go on, a lingering air of suspicion and concern over current safety procedures, based one of the worst nights in Northwestern BC marine history.

First draft of ferry sinking report being reviewed
Public release still months away
The Canadian Press
Monday, February 12, 2007

The Transportation Safety Board has received the first draft of the investigation into last year’s sinking of Queen of the North, but it will be several months before a final report is made public.

Queen of the North slammed into an island about 150 kilometres south of Prince Rupert in the early hours of March 22, 2006. It was travelling to Port Hardy.

Ninety-nine passengers and crew scrambled to safety before the ferry sank, but a B.C. couple disappeared and the man and woman are presumed to have drowned.

Safety board spokesman John Cottreau said the board has seen the initial draft and made some comments, which staff are now including in the document.

The board will review the revised draft before the document is sent on to a confidential list of “designated reviewers,” which will likely include B.C. Ferries and members of the ferry crew.

The reviewers will have 30 days to respond with comments, additions or omissions that may then become part of the final report.Cottreau said a final, public report could still be three to six months away.Meantime, Cottreau said to date, the investigation into the sinking has cost about $630,000.

Two dives have been made to the hulk of sunken ferry, which lies upright on the bottom of Wright Sound more than 400 metres below the surface.