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Originally Posted by Silverwinged
they don't sink often at all, which is why this story is going to raise eyebrows.
ships that are making the trip to Port Hardy often, wouldn't the crew/gps/maps know and be able to tell where all these rocks are?
Yes, the wind blowing the boat off course is still a major contributing factor, but wind wouldn't affect the GPS...
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There is an established route that they always use, but all it takes is the Captain not watching a green Crew Member on the Bridge and BAM it's over. Titanic anyone? The Ferry ran aground... so obviously there was a big SNAFU upstairs on the Bridge. GPS can only tell you where you are and where you are going. They do not tell you about the hazards beneath the surface. You have to cross reference that with the Charts.
And as for the Passage between Vancouver and Victoria being safer, it is much more complex and close quarters than the trip from Port Hardy to Prince Rupert. There is also more high density of pleasure vessels and commercial traffic. Radar and vigilance is prime and when one is neglected, things happen.
Accidents with BC Ferries have happened in the past:
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1970 August 2 - Soviet freighter Sergey Yesenin collided with the Queen of Victoria and sliced halfway through the middle of the ferry on the port side. Three passengers died and damages were estimated at almost 1 million dollars.
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http://www.tsb.gc.ca/en/reports/mari...w0073_sec1.asp
"At 0932, the third engineer was in the process of carrying out his round of the engine room and, as he approached the No. 2 main engine from its turbocharger end, a spray of liquid was observed shooting upwards and ricocheting off the deckhead and onto the turbocharger casing and engine exhaust. Shortly thereafter, the cloud of spray erupted into flames."
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http://www.nsnews.com/issues98/w062998/06269801.html
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"One of the tugs was caught between the ship and the berth," explained B.C. Ferries spokesman Clay Suddaby. "It shouldn't have been there."
He added the tug tried to get out of the way but was unable to.
"(The captain) spun the stern of the tug into the bow of the ferry and steel met aluminum and steel won," said Suddaby.
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It's still safer to take the Ferry than drive in Richmond! :p
Mar 22, 06
